“April showers bring May flowers.” This always helps me remember when we should see the glorious, vibrant signs of Spring. Tulips and daffodils dancing in the breeze.
It’s easy to hope for what is known.
An interesting topic of conversation growing up was, “If you could be born at any time in history, when would it be?” I don’t know if this question is unique to my “Back to the Future” loving generation or a common reflection across generations. But classic films like The Best Years of Our Lives and White Christmas made me long for the 40s, an era characterized by faith and virtue, self-sacrifice, love of country, and, of course, beautiful clothing and music. Oh my! To live then. The last time I voiced longing for this Golden Era, an astute friend of mine said, “Well, it would have been very different not knowing the outcome of the war.” That’s an excellent point. Why hadn’t I considered that?!
Hope for what is unknown is often difficult. Hope in the face of crisis can feel far away if not impossible. Our culture is dark. A crisis is paralyzing when the light of hope is already dim. Darkness blinds the heart and soul, sometimes for a moment, sometimes for years or even a lifetime.
I used to think hope was an empty concept. Scripture teaches us to face fear with hope. “Hope does not disappoint.” Romans 5:5. There is extraordinary power in hope. It’s incredible if you stop and think about it. We see reflections of this across society.
Podcasts talk about “finding hope after loss” and “hope in infertility.” The American Cancer Society features “stories of hope” on its website. Stanford Medicine says, “hope is what keeps them alive.” The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention leads with “Help is Available. Hope is a Reality.”
Humanity needs hope. We all need hope. But what’s our role?
We, you and I, bring this hope to the people around us by, among other things, demonstrating God’s love through action and encouragement during times of trial.
Think, for a moment, about a woman or young lady facing an unplanned pregnancy, the promise of new life, and her plans draped in fear and confusion, met with thoughts of abortion as a way out. A dark way out. Despite claims of the hard left, women do not want abortion. It’s a bad end to what is often seen as an impossible situation. What will those around her think or say? What is the practical reality of changing plans in an uncertain financial situation? Life is already difficult.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11 hung on my refrigerator for years. It reminded me to hope. Now I get it. A glimmer of hope is all we need. You and I are to bring that to people in need of hope, through our individual conversations and actions, and through our collective work as a movement.
Right to Life of Michigan’s new/to be released “Life. The Other Choice.” ad begins with, “Hope is a choice we make. Though hope can sometimes feel far away, it can surprise us when it shows up…” You can view the ad here.
We are currently raising money not just for a busy election year, but for a critical educational outreach effort to women facing unplanned pregnancies. This ad is part of that effort.
When we launched our campaign with similar ads last year, more women reached out to a pregnancy hotline – there was a more than 100% increase in calls seeking life-saving care in just the first few weeks of the campaign –145 MORE women reached out in just those first few weeks. Women are being helped, and lives are being saved!
If you want to join us in this effort, you can do so by donating to our Educational Fund at rtl.org/donate/.
We are here, at this moment in history, for a reason beyond anything we’re able to comprehend. May we do all we can, by the grace of God, to bring hope to those around us, even just a glimmer, during this season of new life! Happy Spring!