Recently, I've begun to notice that the world we live in is becoming more and more negative. Everyday I hear something about the failing economy, student loans that seem will never be paid off, kids being put in jail for murder, the list goes on and on.
Really, with the promotion of websites like "FML" and "fwhyme", music that is based on abuse, and cuss words becoming more prominent we shouldn't be surprised. Just the other day, I was on the phone at work with a customer who was upset, I could sympathize with why he was upset but there was honestly nothing I could do. I offered to do anything I could over and beyond what I probably should have done and what does he do? Continues to all-out cuss me out I didn't even know some of the words he used. When I told him politely but sternly "Sir, I understand you're upset but I will not tolerate foul language and I will release the call if it is used again" his response was "Well they say it on tv". People, this is where we are at, grown men using curse words towards women because it was on tv so it must be fine. I can remember when that was unacceptable, a man would never treat a woman that way or vice-versa.
What is wrong with this?
What is wrong with "them"?
What is wrong with us?
So here I was, wallowing in the "why is this happening" and wondering what would happen if God hadn't already promised He wouldn't flood the Earth again.
Then, I came across this:
www.givesmehope.com
This is going to sound rediculous I know, but this site and all the ones related to it really do give me hope. Here's some of my favorites (as a side note LGMH=Love gives me hope GMH= Gives me Hope):
At Wendy's the other night, an elderly man was sitting by himself, looking depressed.
My 7-year-old sister Abbey suddenly picked up all her food and sat across from the man, then started telling him about her day.
Abbey, your LGMH.
I am a third grade teacher.Most kids come in with notes or messages written by their mothers in their lunch sacks. One little girl's dad left, and her mother abuses drugs. But her 12 year old brother never fails to write "I love you" on her brown paper bag.
He GMH.
Small things each of them, as are most if not all of the stories on the sites. To be cliche though, big things come in small packages. I make time everyday to read at least one page of one of these websites - truly, it gives me hope. Not hope that our economy will get better, people will automatically become more honest, or more respectful towards each other.
No, this gives me hope that not everything is going wrong. Some things are just, oh so right. A child's love for a complete stranger eating lunch by himself, a big brother's love for his younger sister, again the list goes on and on.
Despair, hopelessness, negativity, these things have an end. At some point the economy will turn around, people who do wrong will be punished for it, finances will work out - all of this happens at some point. We look back on it, and do not wish to relive the experience.
Faith, Hope, Love. These extend forever. Read old posts from the same website in a year, you will STILL smile and be uplifted.
Because, hope, love, faith...
...they go on and on.
