hope, hope, hope

I received this quote in an email the other day from a friend who had lost his friend, mentor, and pastor after a long battle with cancer. It's a quote from a book that I don't remember by an author that I don't know. But, it made an impression on me that I can't shake, so I thought I'd share it here. As the Christmas season is here, and joy and peace are words on our lips more now than in any other season, I can't help but think of all the family and friends who are hurting. Doesn't it seem like hardship is all around us?? Maybe it's just us, but it feels like every time I talk with a co-worker, friend, or family member, they share some sort of trouble or family crisis. How is it that my little family and I have been spared? I'm so thankful for that, but also wonder at the grand injustice of those who have such long uphill battles ahead of them. Anyway, here is the quote I received:

"Hope and despair are not opposites. They are cut from the very same cloth, made from the very same material, shaped from the very same circumstances. Most of all, every life finds itself forced to choose one from the other, one day at a time, one circumstance after another. The only difference between the two is that despair shapes an attitude of mind; hope creates a quality of soul. Despair colors the way we look at things, makes us suspicious of the future, makes us negative about the present. Hope, on the other hand, takes life on its own terms, knows that whatever happens God lives in it, and expects that, whatever its twists and turns, it will ultimately yield its good to those who live it well. When tragedy strikes, when trouble comes, when life disappoints us, we stand at the crossroads between hope and despair, torn and hurting. Despair cements us in the present; hope sends us dancing around dark corners trusting in a tomorrow we cannot see. Despair says that there is no place to go but here. Hope says that God is waiting for us someplace else. Begin again." Joan Chittister