Tanks On McGraw Street

Maya Angelou once said: “Hope and fear cannot occupy the same space at the same time.  Invite one to stay.”  As a child I was very fearful.  The Detroit riots in 1967 terrified me with National Guard with guns raised on my street corner.  Tanks rolling down McGraw Street right next to my house.  Sleeping on the floor with all the shades pulled and no windows open in the stifling heat.  At 9 years old, I did not feel any hope for a better day.

Over the years I have learned to cling to, and feed hope in my life.  As my daughter Shannon’s t-shirt read: “Fear is the thief of our dreams.”  Don’t let that thief steal your joy and hope.

Life may seem bleak, I know, and have experienced that; however, there is always hope.  There is always hope.  That became my mantra for a year or so after my divorce.  And hope showed up in many small and big ways when I started looking for it.  Look for it.  Invite hope to stay.  I would love to hear where you see hope today this first week of Advent where hope is our theme.