It’s July and hot in the Ozarks. A few weeks ago is was consistently hotter than the South Florida I had moved from, but relief did come. Times have been intense in the last few years from politics to a pandemic to war, but amid chaos, there is hope.
Florida, even in July, drew in tourists; the kids were out of school, so I saw crowded beaches and streets. Here, folks head to rivers and “The Lakes,” some man-made and others natural, but small towns empty out if they are not alongside water. It was the wrong time to need a dentist, but that too worked out too.
Along with so many others, I thought of taking off for this post and just putting up a “gone fishing” sign, but I’m striving for consistency and better habits, so this is my version of slowing down.
I mostly don’t watch the news. I quit a few years ago. I was encouraged to take a break as it was causing me a lot of stress. The huge stories still get through via word of mouth, friends posting or email banners. I read local news and look up what I want to know and have enjoyed my partial solitude.
As part of my media diet, I hadn’t seen many recent movies. I visited the town theater for the first time (not counting bowling in the same spot). I was inspired by recommendations to see a film on a difficult subject that was educational and professional, but still tough to see. Afterwards, on the way home, I pulled over to look at and capture a picture of a sign that helped and reminded me that awareness is a great first step in solving a problem.
The “HOPE” sign really stood out in human-sized, white letters against a green field. It’s adjacent to The House Church in town. I have never been, but I did speak with the pastor who built it.
The pastor said his wife had a vision to have the sign made, which he did and someone helped him place it with steel supporting poles. His wife said that people go through so much and she didn’t want them to be discouraged and it was there as a reminder to have hope. Her aim was hope in Christ, but for those aren’t Christian, hope at all is a great comfort.
It worked for me.