Hope and Hallelujah

I sat at a dinner table recently to celebrate the birthday of one of our dearest friends.  As I thought about the four couples we would be sharing dinner with, my heart swelled.  It swelled with heartache, compassion, inspiration, and love.  These people have endured so much; many of them in the last year.   All day, I prayed a simple prayer, hallelujah.   Just a little over one year ago, that word came to life for me at the memorial service for my daughter who was born still at 39 weeks.  The service began, and during the opening song I did not utter a word until my friend sang from the stage, “I will be still and I will know that you are God, Oh hallelujah”.  I suddenly began to sing out loud with everything in me.  Somewhere in my innermost being my soul awoke and I began to worship spontaneously. I sang in agreement, proclaiming “He is God” …. even though I didn’t understand why this had become our story, and even though my heart was completely broken.

So I whispered Hallelujah throughout the day leading up to this dinner party.  Exclaiming praise to God even though one couple lost a 9 year old daughter tragically 7 months ago.  Even though that 9 year old was another couple’s niece.  Even though a wife, mom, and friend is going through treatment for breast cancer without a very good prognosis. The “hallelujah whispers” kept me claiming the promises of God all day, even though doubt was knocking.  I claimed that His ways and his thoughts are higher than mine.  I claimed that he holds our hands through the darkest of nights.  I claimed that true joy rests in his eternal promise of heaven.   As I claimed these things over the people at that table during the day, and I listened to them talk that evening, I heard another word ringing in my ears.  HOPE. 

Though none of us are perfectly faithful everyday; and the pain of loss and disease can be excruciating and derailing, there is a profound lesson being learned in the lives of my friends.  The things of this world really have nothing lasting to offer us.  We have many things to enjoy here.  Our possessions, our health, our children, our friendships, and our jobs are all earthly blessings, but they are all just momentary.  The enjoyment of these things is but a breath here on this earth.  While we can hope FOR all of these wonderful pleasures of life, it is death to place our hope IN these things.  In a moment, any of them can be taken. And if our hope is in them we feel destroyed, confused, miserable, and in despair. There is only ONE who is worthy of our hope.  Jesus, who came and gave his life for every sorrow and every pain that our hearts must endure.   Jesus, who conquered death and promises to make all things new.  Jesus, our cornerstone and strong foundation.  A hope placed in Jesus brings life in the midst of death.  It brings joy in mourning, and peace in chaos.  Hope in Him causes a Hallelujah to rise even though …..

So I sat, listened, and watched my friends fight for HOPE at that dinner table.  They inspire me as they authentically walk this journey of faith, receiving grace upon grace to face their days.  And for that I shout, “HALLELUJAH”!