Hope That We Never Have to Walk Alone

“We’re not rich. We never have enough money… We don’t have ANYTHING!” grumbled a little boy.

A wise old man said, “I’ll give you $500 if you give me your eyes.”

“No way! Then I can’t see anything!”

And the man continued offering him more money for each of the boy’s senses and other things in his life. And eventually the little boy decided he was pretty rich after all.

I read this story many years ago, so I’m not sure this is entirely accurate, but the meaning is the same. Aren’t there just so many things we have that we take for granted? Things that are worth more than all the money the whole world can give? Things that open up more opportunities of blessing?

Thanksgiving is a time to count our blessings and be grateful but should not be confined to one day of the year. With each sunrise we wake up to, hope is renewed. We have been spared another day to fulfill God’s purpose for us and anything is possible through God.

This Thanksgiving I am grateful I may get together with a family who loves me, and our table will be filled with nourishing food. But I can’t help but think of those who are so lost and lonely during this time of the year. No family to share love with. Burdened with troubles with nowhere to turn. Maybe they have family, but they are still alone, because their family doesn’t understand them at all. Or there is strife and division – words spoken that hurt so deeply. Or maybe deep sadness sucks the joy away, because there are empty places in their hearts and at their tables.

Sometimes our hearts can get so loaded with oppressive burdens that we have no energy to open our eyes to the blessings we do have. But may we allow hope to enter into our hearts. Hope that we never have to walk alone. Jesus invites us to walk with Him through whatever storms or troubles we are burdened with. He is faithful and He will never leave our side.

“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have.
For God has said,
‘I will never fail you.
I will never abandon you.'”
Hebrews 13:5

“You’ll Never Walk Alone”
Authors: Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein
Sung by Celtic Woman

“When you walk through the storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark

Walk on, through the wind
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone
You’ll never walk alone”

We will never walk alone when we have a friend in Jesus!

“What a Friend We Have in Jesus!”
Written by Joseph M. Scriven
Music by Charles Crozat Converse
Sung by Tennessee Ernie Ford

“Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.”