Over the past few months, never have we heard the word “unprecedented” used so many times. I know you agree, right? Yes, we are living in unprecedented times, but the fact is, we kind of always have! Yes, we feel like we suddenly don’t have any control; but the (ironic) reality is that we never really did.
It’s true: we feel like things are out of our control. We have no way of knowing what is coming next. BUTwe always, always have control over how we respond to it. And this is where hope comes in. Hope: the optimistic state of mind based on a positive expectation. Hope: the sense that things can only get better. Hope: the little voice that whispers “maybe” when the whole world seems to be shouting “no”.
The thing about hope though, is that it is always born out of adversity. It’s the seed that falls to the ground and dies and only in doing so, brings new life. The one door that closes shut, but then opens up the possibility of a different door opening, bursting with opportunity. There’s this great verse that goes like this: “suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character, hope”. (Romans 5:3-5) You see we have to go through life’s trials in order to appreciate the full product of joy; the bright light at the end of the long tunnel; the radiant sun that bursts through the dark clouds. It’s only in the darkest night that we can fully appreciate the brightest stars. Suffering. Perseverance. Character. Hope.
But the best part of that verse comes at the end of the sentence: “and hope does not put us to shame”. Hope does not disappoint.
There’s no doubt that we have witnessed devastation and loss on a global scale, and no one should be robbed of a space to grieve their losses. However, I have been inspired lately by those who are flipping their “why?” questions into “what now?”; a curious invitation to exploring something new. It’s the difference between choosing to see an open patch of fallow ground as unusable or, simply, unused.
HOPE Boxes
During Lockdown, many of you enjoyed our “Combo” and “Collab” boxes. And the best part was that a portion of these sales went directly to the Life Child Hope 2020 Campaign. Thank you for your support with this! We are continuing with these (renamed) “HOPE boxes”, as we continue to support this incredibly worthwhile Life Child Campaign. Each box includes a Gift Tag with original Life Child artwork. We have added even more delicious combo’s .. so please go and have a browse on our online shop. If you prefer, you can choose to gift a box to a friend; we will add a personalised tag and deliver to major cities in SA.
