⁣“These are the times that try men’s souls.”
~ The American Crisis by Thomas Paine aka T Paine, as my history teacher used to call him ~ ⁣
⁣
T Paine wrote those words in December 1776, when things were topsy-turvy in our nation; it’s December 2020 and stuff’s still up in the air.⁣
⁣
These are the times that try men’s souls but Hope’s still running wild.⁣
Catching it, at times, is akin to grasping the wind but there’s a beauty even in that. Hope refuses to die; it defies every effort to smother it beneath the heavy cloak of despair. Hope’s stubborn like that.⁣
⁣
@youwillmostsurelyfind said that every word of thanksgiving is a sword-thrust to the heart of evil. A spirit of gratitude spilling over into words shows a heart that hasn’t given up Hope.⁣
⁣
Yesterday, someone told me her son had come to saving faith in Christ after a few years of darkness;⁣
that’s Hope refusing to die.⁣
⁣
Last weekend, I watched my lovely neighbours setting up their Christmas tree with their kids;⁣
that’s Hope refusing to die.⁣
⁣
Thanksgiving morning, 2 of my dearest friends had their 1st child;⁣
that’s Hope refusing to die.⁣
⁣
Several weeks ago, a dear childhood friend married her man in spite of it all;⁣
that’s Hope refusing to die.⁣
⁣
Baking cookies, listening to Christmas music, decorating, sending a cherry “Merry Christmas” to a stranger in the grocery store;⁣
giving the end of your semester everything you’ve got;⁣
changing your lil one’s diaper for the 10th time today;⁣
repenting of sin, biting your tongue instead of complaining;⁣
digging your hands deeply into the work before you;⁣
those are sword-thrusts to the heart of darkness.⁣
⁣
Lovely humans, these are the times that try men’s souls but, thank the Maker, Hope’s still running wild 🖤//

| We’re in a War, my friends, and we all need Courage on the Front Lines 🖤|