The Importance of Hope

It was the Christmas season in 2015.  I was part of a Facebook group called No Excuse Moms.  In this particular group, women cheer each other on when they are struggling, surviving or thriving.  It is so important to possess the capability to lift people up no matter where they are in their life and I am working to become better at this.  

I happened to read a comment to a main post that spoke to me.  I immediately felt compelled to take action.  A mother was expressing her worry about not being able to get her children anything for Christmas so I asked her to please contact me because I wanted to help.  

My offer brought this mother to tears and through Facebook messenger, the woman described some items that her children - a 13 year old boy and 8 year old boy - might be interested in.  Now if they are anything like my 9 year old boy, they must get the items they want otherwise the world will end.  As a mother, I can relate to the desire to please my child and to see the smile that comes when you give a child a gift. The thought of not being able to do this scared the mother.  My offer gave her the courage to ask her boys what they wanted because now she had hope and faith that they may actually receive the items. 

What was she feeling?  Hopelessness.  She told me a story of a gentleman that comes to the restaurant she works at.  Every time, before he leaves, he picks a table and pays for the meal.  When she asked why he did this, he said simply to give people hope.  

I immediately went to Amazon and placed an order for a skateboard, football, two video games, an Uno game, a soccer ball, and a nice bracelet for mom.  Two days later, the items had already started to arrive.

When you are in a position to give hope, grab the opportunity.  My generosity allowed the mother to feel blessed and allowed her to rest at night.  She relayed to me that she now had a "renewed spirit" and "peace of mind".  My act of kindness gave her "the strength to push on".  

I appreciated greatly that this mother had the courage to answer my offer to help and that she allowed me to be generous in creating a moment of joy for her family. She said to me "I believe God sent you to me right when I needed a blessing so much. I appreciate you."

Technology can help us to perform great acts.  You may complain about social media, but it allowed me to reach a complete stranger in Florida and offer help.  You may complain about Amazon but it allowed me to rapidly deploy gifts to a family in need during a holiday season.  My intention was simply to transfer the spirit of hope, generosity, and renewal to a mother in need.  Answer the call to help, and use all tools in your possession to achieve these simple acts of compassion that can change the trajectory of the human spirit for we are all connected near and afar.