living by hope

Living with Hope

Optimism and hope are radically different attitudes. Optimism is the expectation that things-the weather, human relationships, the economy, the political situation, and so on-will get better. Hope is the trust that God will fulfill God's promises to us in a way that leads us to true freedom. The optimist speaks about concrete changes in the future. The person of hope lives in the moment with the knowledge and trust that all of life is in good hands.

All the great spiritual leaders in history were people of hope. Abraham, Moses, Ruth, Mary, Jesus, Rumi, Gandhi, and Dorothy Day all lived with a promise in their hearts that guided them toward the future without the need to know exactly what it would look like. Let's live with hope. --Henri J.B. Nouwen

I received this inspirational message in my inbox today and realized it couldn't come at a better time.

I think of myself as an optimist.  Always trying to plan to make things better for the future.  The problem is that I get frustrated when things don't go exactly according to plan.  Travel plans change,  unexpected playdates occur,  daily chores have to be done,  little ones get sick (Kaya has an ear infection & respiratory infection and Zander has pneumonia now).  My first instinct when things don't go according to my schedule is to blame myself and question how I could have arranged our time and events better. 

I think God is having a grand old chuckle now.  He's probably glad I'm figuring it out.....I'm not really the one in charge here.  So as I struggle to let go of my desire to control the world.....let me live by hope.