Sitting outside our library on sweet green grass in the breezy afternoon shade of a willow tree, I watched as my daughter sketched. Through a trickle of “Mommy look,” and “Mommy how do I fix this,” I settled into a state of happiness and relaxation.
In the background of my daughter’s sweet conversation I heard the sounds of people on their cell phones. It wasn’t really the words I first locked onto. It was the tone of the man’s voice.
“I have been working part time for the last 3 years and am looking to get back into things”
I had heard it so very, very many times before. But this time it was another woman’s husband, not mine.
“My goal is to find a position that allows me to get back to my core strengths. I have fifteen years experience with SAS and can easily pick up on that skill.”
My stomach flipped in recognition.
“I understand, thank you for your time. And if you know anyone who is looking for someone with my strengths, please pass my name along.”
I lived these phone calls in my own house and knew precisely the state of that man’s soul. Crumbling with each rejection. Living in a sea of self-doubt and fear. Hope fading.
As his phone call ended, I wanted to comfort him somehow. Tell him it would all work out simply because he continued to persevere. He was obviously not giving up. But I also knew exactly what the trial of years of rejection after rejection was doing to his soul.
Hope.
Losing hope, I think, is the singularly biggest threat to our country today. There are too many people unable to live their lives freely and too many who have lost the hope that allows them to pursue happiness.
Where does that leave us as a nation?
And can we last before we next get the opportunity to make a change?
Can we hold onto hope?
I think it will all depend on how strongly we can hold onto our faith and the circle of love in our family.
As my daughter and I walked away, we passed three other hopeful middle aged men talking on cell phones with potential employers.
The answer was right there with us.
You hold onto hope, no matter what may come to crush your soul, because of your love for your family.
