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Christ is risen! Alleluia!

Given that we are in the season of Easter, it’s fitting that our theme for May is Hope. I written about hope a number of times. Particularly as a trauma survivor, I find hope to be essential to daily life. Indeed, one of my favorite pieces of my own writing is about hope, and comes from the book I Love Today: A Story of Transformation, which I co-wrote with my friend, Mark Johnson:

You can never have too much hope. On good days, it adds that pep in your step and gives energy to your plans and routine. On bad days it compels you to get out of bed and put one foot in front of the other, even when that feels like an impossible task. Of course, it really comes in handy in times of trauma, when you’re filled with fear, doubt, and a lack of control. That’s when you almost need an IV drip filled with hope to keep you alive and breathing.

Hope is essential. It’s also a true gift from God. Indeed, hope exists only because of God. It would not be possible to have any hope if there were no God; there would be no foundation for being or for the universe, and no purpose. But God is our foundation. God is the Creator, and has created us for a purpose. Through Jesus, God has redeemed us, and is calling us to a life of eternal Love. And therein lies our hope. On the worst of days, and in the deepest of pain, God is with us, supporting us, leading us, and loving us. And so we hope.

Prayer Bead Devotion

Cross: God of Grace and God of Glory,

Invitatory Bead: you created us

Resurrection Bead: so that we might love and be loved by you.

First Cruciform Bead: Our hope lies in you.

Week Beads, Set 1: Use each bead to consider how our hope comes from God.

Second Cruciform Bead: My life is filled with hope; it is hope-full.

Week Beads, Set 2: Use each bead to consider the ways in which your life is full of hope. If you cannot think of anything, ask God to reveal the blessings in your life, which are reminders of hope.

Third Cruciform Bead: Help me to find hope – to find you – even in the darkest of times.

Week Beads, Set 3: Use each bead to ask for knowledge of God’s presence and reminders of hope when you need it most.

Fourth Cruciform Bead: Help me to share this hope with the world.

Week Beads, Set 4: Use each bead to consider the ways in which you might share the gift of hope with others.

Resurrection Bead: In the name of Jesus Christ,

Invitatory Bead: our Hope and our Redeemer,

Cross: Amen

___________

Listening Focus (repeat with each bead)

Christ is risen! I have hope.