I hear and see a lot of talk about “hope” in circles of parents of challenging children. By that I mean those kids of ours who add an extra layer of “figuring them out.” 😉 We talk about what hope(s) we have for our kids. What diagnoses or treatments or scientific discoveries we are hoping for. Hope for a small respite from the struggle of the muddle of life.
But what always strikes me with deep sadness is the discussion of wanting to even have something to hope for in the first place. The lack of hope that some people have. I weep with and for these friends. Feeling hopeless — feeling as though you are truly without any hope — is truly devastating. It is when I consider that depth of “hopelessness” that I am drawn to plead for God’s mercy to open the eyes of the hopeless. For hopelessness to be replaced by confidence in God’s goodness and grace. Because we do not have to live without hope!
As Christians, we have a True Reason to hope. Psalm 71 says, “For you, O Lord, are my hope.” The Psalmist exhorts himself to remember his Hope in Psalm 42, …
“Why are you cast down, O my soul,
Psalm 42:5, repeated again in verse 11
and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God.”
For the better part of 2018, my kids and I were working through the New City Catechism. Actually, we are still going through it. I referenced this great resource in my Favorites of 2018 blog post. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of a catechism, I will cite the definition that came up on google when I typed in “catechism”:
a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians.
~google
A catechism like this one can be an amazing resource to teach our children the truths of God’s word in a concise and memorable way, giving them many tools to pull from their toolbox when confronted with the doubts and questions of life.
But as we instruct our children, there is a beautiful “side effect.” As most teachers know, when we instruct our students, we are instructing our own hearts as well. I have found these simple songs and sentences invaluable to counsel my own heart.
I bring up this catechism because of what it has done for my own soul in times of temptation toward hopelessness. The very first Question and Answer in the New City Catechism for children is so beautiful and comforting. It lays a foundation for our understanding of Hope.
Q: What is our only hope in life and death?
A: That we are not our own, but belong to God.
When I see discussion about hope, or the lack thereof, I think of the above question, in the form of this song. It comforts me. And it becomes the focus of my prayer for those who do not know the peace of God.
Our hope is that we are the Lord’s. This is our only hope. And it is enough. What could be more essential to the comfort of our souls in times of despair than remembering that we belong to the Creator who loves us deeply and holds our lives in His hands?
May we who are in the family of God be comforted with the peace that passes all understanding. This True Hope. May those who do not know this peace and assurance be made to see and understand!
When we are tempted to despair and feel hopeless, especially as it relates to parenting, teaching, training, disciplining, diagnosing, helping, and discipling our children, may we remember that we are the Lord’s. And what’s more, so are our precious children. When we stop seeing our children as being our own possessions, but as God’s possession, we can rest in His purposes for their lives.
We need not lose hope, because God is our Hope and we belong to Him.
[I will add a small footnote here. For a further discussion on the topic of “hope,” may I direct you to a sermon my dear husband preached this past December during Advent, titled, “Hold Fast to Hope”? I think you will be encouraged.]
