But God gives us hope

Romans 8:18-21, 23-25 What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later… With eager hope the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay… We too wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us… If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.

The second candle on our Advent wreath represents hope. What are you looking forward to today?

In the Waiting Room: Zebras Karis age 3 ½, Detroit

The room was crowded; it would be a long wait. Karis greeted the other children and played with a few toys but soon, exhausted, she settled in the chair beside me. Her small body looked like one of those photos of starving children in Africa, enormous belly, spindly arms and legs.

“What are you reading, Mama? Can you read it to me?” It was Psalm 96.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!

Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise!

Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!

Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise before the Lord,

For he—

“You forgot the zebras, Mama,” Karis interrupted, gazing at the border of wild animals brightening the walls. “The zebras are praising God too. See how they’re dancing? Read it again. I’m sure the zebras are in there.”

I read it again. No zebras.

“Mama, it’s OK. I know you’re tired. You’ll read it better another day.”

Dr. P’s nurse entertained Karis while he talked with me. “The only thing I can think of is another surgery, but frankly, I don’t know how it will help.”

I said no. My husband said, “We have to do something.” Our church agreed with him. Karis was hospitalized for several weeks in the hope of making her stronger so she could tolerate major surgery.When the OR attendant came to fetch her from the holding area, Karis pulled my head down and whispered, “Mama, don’t be afraid. The zebras are still dancing.”