Several weeks ago, I read the following words during my personal devotion time before school:

“When you are going through a dark time - a hard time - it’s easy to project that darkness into the future.  The longer you struggle with adverse circumstances, the darker the way before you appears - and the harder it is to imagine yourself walking along bright paths again.  The temptation to just give up and let misery become your companion.  So it is crucial at such times to remember that I am your constant Companion.  Moreover, because I am Sovereign God, I am able to turn your darkness into Light. When you feel on the verge of sinking in despair, turn to Me for help.  Cling to my hand, and walk by faith through the darkness.  Do not focus on the   circumstances that are weighing you down.  Instead, through eyes of faith, look ahead to brighter times, and praise Me for them…. As you persevere along this path, the dim light will gradually shine brighter and brighter till the full light of day.”   (Jesus Today, by Sarah Young)

As I thought of the students who would be entering my classroom about an hour later,

I began to ask God how I could make this happen for those precious young people.  So many grow weary as they long for a world with sports and gatherings to be restored.  They get tired of hiding behind masks and having to remain distanced.  And they become weary because they don’t know how much longer the restrictions will be in place.  All of this has been added to the typical realm of the teenager (or child) in school, dealing with the academic and social struggles that many encounter.  How could I help them to see that there is Hope to be found even in the difficult times?

It was then that the idea of a hope journal came to mind, and it has blessed my classroom ever since.  Every morning, I ask the students to share signs of hope that they have recognized to be added to my journal.  We have recorded sunrises and sunsets, newly hatched chicks in the science room, weekends, predictions of snow, plants, devotions, answered prayers, coffee, and various other bright spots for which we are thankful. One day, in the midst of a budgeting project,  a student even mentioned heaven because there would be free real estate, no insurance and no medical needs. It begins our day together with our eyes on Jesus, rather than on our circumstances.

Together we have learned to recognize that God is constantly reminding us of reasons to find hope.  Even in the darkness, Light can shine brightly.

Minds: Think of your own signs of hope.  What have you seen or experienced recently that helps you see God’s Light in the darkness?

Hearts: Praise God for the hope He provides.  Then seek ways that you can be used by Him to help those around you who may need to be reminded of His glorious Light.