No Hope? No Thanks!

He took the slip from me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned to me.

"Don’t ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you’re alive is a special occasion."

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my sister’s family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn’t seen or heard or done. I thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special.

I’m still thinking about his words, and they’ve changed my life.

I’m not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event -- such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom.

"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it’s worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.

I’m trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives.

And every morning when I open my eyes I tell myself that it is special.

PROPOSITION: THANKSGIVING IS A PRIVILEGE OF THE LIVING.

Here are Four questions of hope.

I. Who needs hope? (Isaiah 38:1)

A. Hezekiah needed hope. He was deathly sick and received direction to ¡§put his house in order.¡¨ The nature of Hezekiah’s illness is not mentioned; neither is it stated that it is punishment for sin. God’s command suggests that Hezekiah had a duty to his family and kingdom to arrange their future administration. [EBCOT] The instruction to put his house in order caused the king to turn to the wall in prayer. Hezekiah’s couch was probably placed in a corner, which is the place of honor in the East; in which, turning on either side, he must turn his face to the wall; by which he would withdraw himself from those attending him in his apartment. A great king still depended on the Lord in the hour of death. The last hours equalize all mankind. An unordered house lacks the preparation for the demise of its head. Hezekiah was not ready to die. He needed hope like many who hear of his account today.

1. People who have had life-shattering experiences like a death of a friend or loved one, divorce, or a loss of a job need hope

2. People who have faced the same problem or trial for a long time need hope

3. People who have sincerely tried to solve their problems and failed need hope

4. People who are severely depressed need hope

5. People who are suicidal need hope

6. People who are in a difficult marriage need hope

7. People who struggle with rebellious children need hope

8. People who are addicted need hope

9. People who are dying need hope

10. People whose hopes have been dashed repeatedly need hope

B. Hezekiah provides opportunity to discuss the universal need for hope. It is a need that touches living souls across all barriers.