WHEN HOPE FINDS A WAY

A young couple sits in darkness in their living room.  The electricity was turned off today.  Despite both of them working, they have been struggling to pay their bills.  The money isn’t enough to maintain the lives they chose to live, so, they reflect in the darkness.  They can’t watch television or check their social media accounts, nor do they have money to go to a hotel.  They are stuck with each other and their thoughts.  Alec wanted to blame his wife for their situation.  Rachel had maxed out her credit cards shopping with her friends.  She was trying to keep up the appearances with them, knowing she knew she didn’t have the means to pay it back.  Even still, in her mind, her husband is the one that should have managed their finances better.  Her thoughts were on the two expensive cars Alec bought them. Unable to reconcile their thoughts, darkness wins.  

As shame begins to rest on both of them, they hear a knock at the door.  Alec opens the door but sees no one.  When he looks down, he sees a package on the ground.  Rachel anxiously waits as he opens it and at the bottom of this package, they find two scented candles and a lighter inside.  There is also a fresh baked loaf of bread and water in the package as well.  A small note reads: "I saw that your electricity got turned off and I made this package for you.  My husband and I have been in your shoes.  Years ago, I remember sitting in the darkness of our home, wondering how it got so bad. I wanted to blame my husband until we received a package like the one I am giving you.  It is the package of ‘hope.’  When we wanted to give up, the package came and brought us together.  We realized we made mistakes but those mistakes didn’t have to define our life. We knew we could make better choices and learn to handle life better.  It was put on my heart to give you this package and encourage you.  Blessings, Your Neighbor."

Tears filled both of their eyes as they embraced each other and shut the door.  In spite of the shame and guilt that was on them, hope found a place in their hearts.  They sat together in their living room, now under the warm glow of candles and began getting to know each other once again.  As the sun began to shine, the light brightened, not only in their room but in their hearts.  Hope had come and changed their lives forever.  ​