One of the greatest shows ever made.
Now to the point. The name of the show was somewhat ambiguous. The obvious meaning is that the little baby’s name is Hope, and the show is about raising her. That’s far too simplistic, and it seems more coincidental than anything. The real meaning behind it is the family. By all accounts, this family is on the ragged edge. The mom and dad work menial jobs for little pay. They strive to make a better life and in spite of terribly discouraging circumstances, they always seem to find hope in the future. The entire show revolved around that concept, which is why I think I liked it so much.
There are times in my own life, like yesterday and today, when I look around and see the circumstances closing in to swallow me. It’s only then that I look up and remember that, first, I am not alone and, second, I am not forgotten. The biggest and greatest gift we have in life is that we have others to share it with. When facing heartache, it is necessary to share the burden. It is partially why God said it was not good for man to be alone.
Here’s another question that I was left pondering. Would the family have been happy if they had been rich or well off? I actually think not. There seems to be so much weight put in achievement and things and striving to be happy that we never actually are happy. It’s cliché to say, but what if I decided that I’m going to stop, exactly where I am today, in the exact circumstances I’m in, and I am going to be happy!
This is raising hope! For I don’t hope in the things that I have or the things I will have. I don’t hope in tomorrow or how things will be. On days like yesterday and today, when difficulty comes against me, I spend them with those close to me so that I might be reminded that the God of hope will fill me with joy and peace so that, by his spirit, I might have hope so great it is contagious. This is where my happiest moments are.