It’s such a simple, little word; but when hope is missing from your life, it can rip a great gaping hole.

In mythology there is the story of “Pandora’s Box”. In this story the curious child Pandora opens a box she’s not supposed to, and unleashes all the Woes upon the world. After being bitten and stung by these many Woes, she curls up weeping on the floor, and hears a tiny voice like bells coming from the box that had once again fallen closed. The voice belongs to Hope, who flies out of the box, kisses Pandora’s hurts, and flies into the world to offer comfort after the many Woes.

Consider: it only takes 1 Hope to counter the effects of thousands of Woes. That must mean hope is pretty powerful stuff.

In the Christian Bible there is a passage – 1st Corinthians 13:13 "But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." Although it says love is the greatest, it does go out of its way to mention hope. So obviously hope is considered important there.

The Merriam Webster dictionary gives us this as the definition: To cherish a desire with anticipation, or desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment.

So hope encompasses belief and desire. It encourages one to dream and cherish. It allows us to go on when we go through the rough times. Hope is one step away from faith.

Hope gives us strength, courage, and healing. It gives us stamina to face what we many times think we cannot face.

When I think of Hope I often think of a song I heard in a musical called “The Dreamer”.

He Opens a Window – from the musical “Dreamer”
When doubt and disappointment
Hide the morning sun
When all my dreams have ended
All my songs are sung
His spirit moves within me
Every doubt is gone
I see a new horizon, and sing a brand new song

When God closes a door
He opens a window, a window
He opens a window so I can see
He’s working it out the very best for me
He opens a window just for me

This obviously is a Christian song, but it can apply to those who are of other faiths as well. So many times we have doors closed in our faces; we lose a job due to downsizing, a relationship ends, an unplanned pregnancy happens. Things that we are not prepared for, and that at first seem like insurmountable hardships.

But if we look at the situation with the eye of Hope, then we might see something different.

The job layoff may actually show me that I was stuck in a rut job that I hated, and I would rather go back to school and learn something I love. The boyfriend I just lost was actually rude and controlling, and I deserve better. I need a partner who loves and respects me. We’ve been putting off having a baby, but we can make this work now that it has happened, and I can refocus my priorities on my family.

Hope is the thing that allows doors to close, and lets us look around for that window of new light.

Especially as we come upon the New Year, think about your hopes and dreams.

Especially consider Pandora’s box; hope had to be let out to work its miracle - it couldn’t be locked up inside.

May you all have Hope, Peace, and Love this year to come!