January 21st

“And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end,” Hebrews 6:11

some days, hope is just a
thin vapor, like smoke drifting
from a candle just put out.
some days, hope is loud enough
to shout down our worries
so we can refuse to blink
before icy stares and continue to
blow whistles as loud as we can.
some days, hope is tired fingers
wrapped around a fraying rope
of civility, and we worry that
if we let go, everything will
come tumbling down.
some days, hope seems as
old as our creaking bones
and as fragile as our frightened fears,
yet is as daring as any toddler
to lean forward even at the risk
of falling flat on their face.
and every day,
hope kneels gently beside us,
whispering, ‘stay,’
stay when justice is unfinished
stay when love costs more
than we think we have,
stay when it seems God
has wandered away, but
has just gone ahead, trusting
hope to be our companion.

© 2026 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman