Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Don't get your hopes up.....

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. –Hebrews 11:1

What should you do when someone tells you “Don’t get your hopes up”.* I guess that depends on the context in which it is spoken.

For example: “I really wish I could loose 35 pounds and not make any changes to my diet.”

Response: “Don’t get your hopes up”

Translation: “Put that Twinkie down you mo-ron

But let’s just say, it happens more like this…..

“I was wondering if you have heard anything positive about our case”

Response: “Don’t get your hopes up….but…..

Translation: "Could something be on the horizon for us? Like soon?!?!?"

So what do we make of that? There are so many nuances in the English language. Really the secret lies with the word “but” . It’s like a little disclaimer saying “I don’t want you to get upset if this is a false alarm, BUT, I think something good is just around the corner, BUT I’m not at liberty to discuss any details because, well, I don’t want you to get your hopes up.” So is it really better NOT to get your hopes up? Or is that like saying “Oh my gosh, smell this! It’s the worst smell you have ever smelt?” Whadda ya do? You smell it of course! You just can't help yourself. You jump right in with reckless abandon. I mean with the word "but" you may be disappointed if say TWO WEEKS goes by and your hopes are dashed, but isn’t it better to hope than to never hoped at all?

“Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark” - George Iles

So hear we are, holding out our hands in the dark.

*Disclaimer: This blog contains cryptic messages. You can take as little or as much away from it as your imagination allows.

6 comments:

  1. You made me laugh...thank you! Oh gosh...how DO you translate that? I think you are right...something is coming...could it be a BABY?

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  2. My favorite is FAITH is not knowing what the future holds, but knowing WHO holds the future. Remember, it is better to HOPE because without hope, there would be no faith, no love. You get the idea......I'm hoping right along with you because I know who holds our future. Hoping & praying, Momma

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  3. Hi, I have been following your blog for sometime now. My husband and I are going to be placed in Pskov. I have been keeping track on couples who are adopting from Pskov and it seems like there has been alot of movement in the last week. I think you will have some great news soon.

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  4. I say keep hoping. It will happen at the right time (I know, not what you want to hear). I feel my children were meant to be mine (ours) even though we had to wait, God has a plan. I will continue to pray for "the top of the pile"

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  5. Give your Mom a hug for me...she left the SWEETEST comment on my blog. It truly blessed my day!

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  6. I think it means you are going to Russia SOON!!! I will speed up working on a more detailed list of what to bring/what not to bring/etc. :)

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