In an old TV episode of House M.D., Aussie Dr. Robert Chase shares some wise counsel with medical student Martha Masters (Amber Tamblyn). Masters, known for her more matter-of-fact communication with patients, asks Dr. Chase how be gentler in her bedside manner, especially with terminal cases. Dr. Chase recommends, “If it comes down to brutal truth and hope, start with hope.” Hope. Start with hope.
Hope for the New Year
Start with hope. These three words offer sage direction for our new year, especially when we have plenty of “brutal truth” to absorb. In the blur of school starting again, gifts to return, Christmas decorations to store, a gym membership to use, and more fruits and vegetables to eat, we could all benefit from less harshness and instead offer more hope. Fewer unrealistic goals set and instead our minds set on more hope. Less targeting the faults of others and instead responding with more hope. Fewer times of giving up and instead staying the course with more hope.
Living with Expectancy
I would define hope as “expecting and looking eagerly for something to improve or change for the better.” This expectancy may be an uptick in our health, our marriage, our family, our friendships, our finances, our jobs, or our outlook on the months and year ahead.
A few years ago, a friend gave me this “She was full of hope” art piece for Christmas. The wall art hangs by my computer where I can view the words several times a day. As 2019 unfurls, let’s keep hope alive as we look beyond the present to the possibilities ahead. And in each new day, let’s start and end with hope, and intentionally mix hope throughout our minutes in between.
“‘For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you.
I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.’” —Jeremiah 29:11, New English Translation
What a great encouragement for the new year–and I love the plaque. Wish I had given it to you!
Thank you, Nancy, I love how God designed hope into our lives. I love the art piece too. It’s from a local artist. I’ll have to see if she still sells this.
That is a beautiful piece of art. Do let me know as well. Loved your article. I am going to try to infuse hope in my days!
Thank you, Shelly. I love doing word searches in Scripture on “hope.” He is our greatest hope! I’ll need to see if this artist is still producing this one.
Beautiful! I always enjoy your writings!!
Thank you so much, Daria! I appreciate your encouragement.
This is very uplifting going into another year in life. Thank you for being so faithful with your blog. They really touch me in special ways!
You are so welcome, Terry. I am honored to share whatever I can to encourage and inspire.