There is always hope

   Our lives are filled with moments when we can feel overwhelmed and can easily despair into hopelessness.  But we must remember that we have a loving and all-powerful Father.  Indeed, we always have reason for hope.  So, why would God allow us to have these moments that try us so?

   God allows us to have these moments because He is testing us.  And like the tests from school, these tests show us where we are.  When we know where we are [pass, fail, or a mix of both], we get to choose if we are going to improve ourselves.  Like school, there likely will be another test.  Not to show us our failures, but to lead us to passing the ultimate exam awarding us eternal life in Heaven.

   Surely, some have endured moments harder than we likely will ever endure.  We see many of these in the lives of the saints.  They endured them and loved through it, though they did not seek these moments out.  Even with everyone around them turning their backs on them and everything going wrong, they knew their Father was still there for them.

   I remember a DVD that we recently got for our kids.  It was about St. Perpetua.  She lived in the early Christian times when Christians were killed for their faith.  While in jail, Perpetua dreamed that she would be freed from her situation by being killed.  Now, that sounds rather crazy.  But she was focused on where that would take her … Heaven.  Turns out she was anything but crazy.  She was freed from her situation and all suffering.

   Jesus, You endured the Cross for love of us with the hope that we would accept Your ultimate sacrifice and join You in Heaven forever.  Help me to accept Your sacrifice and live in Your hope every moment.