Choose Hope

The rocking chair creaks as I snuggle Lily on my shoulder with a blanket. Her chubby fingers instinctively grab onto my hair while she wraps her other arm around mine, clinging to my shirt, pulling herself close to me. 

Her breathing is rhythmic, like the rain falling outside from the dimly lit sky. Dusk has fallen, and the trees are barely visible from her bedroom window. We sit in the quiet together while her eyes slowly drift to sleep, and darkness falls around us. Creak, creak. Pitter-patter. Inhale, exhale. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. 

The world is in commotion, my heart aches from witnessing all of the hatred and hurt. Somewhere along the way we have lost our ability to share differences of opinions in a respectful and loving way. The media, if we aren’t careful, can cloud our vision and tell us what we should or shouldn’t do. It can be easy to lose hope in what’s to come and feel discouraged. 

When Lily’s body becomes heavy and her hands relax, I stop rocking for a moment to re-read a quote from a friend. It reminds me that the little things I do each day in our home will have a big impact on the world. I am instilling in my children a hope in Christ, a love for others, and a desire to serve and make the world a better place. And it all starts right here, with them cuddled on my shoulder, in my lap, in my arms, where I hope they are able to feel a small portion of the love that their Savior has for them. 

"Oh sisters, dearest sisters, choose life even though the forces of death seem strong! Choose hope even though despair seems close! Choose to grow even though circumstances oppress you! Choose to learn even though you must struggle against your own ignorance and that of others! Choose to love, even though ours are days of violence and vengeance. Choose to forgive, to pray, to bless another’s life with simple kindness. I promise that you will feel the abundant love of the Savior. He receives each act of mercy to one of the least as one done to Himself. And in return He defies hopelessness, weariness, despair, and meaninglessness on our behalf." ~Chieko N. Okazaki