Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

A schoolteacher once asked a group of children to write down on a card the one thing in the world they were most thankful for.

Most of the children wrote down the usual predictable things, but one boy in the class said that he was most thankful for his glasses. “Johnny,” she said, “l see that your glasses are the thing for which you are most thankful. Is there any special reason?” Johnny answered, “Yes, ma’am. My glasses keep the boys from hitting me and the girls from kissing me.” Now, Johnny had learned early that life can be tough – that we need all the help we can get.

One of the most delightful plays to hit Broadway years ago was the popular musical, “Annie”, which, of course, is based on the Little Orphan Annie comic strip. At the beginning of the play, the little orphan girls sing, “It’s a Hard-Knock Life!” We all can relate to that, can’t we? We all have felt the painful hard knocks of life.

The little orphan girl wanted so much to be loved and to be saved from her desperate situation, trapped in an orphanage. Even though there seems no way, she has hope, hope wrapped in the dream that someday her parents will come back to reclaim her.

And finally, she is rescued by the love and strength of Daddy Warbucks.

In this troubled world, we all have something of Annie in us. We want some word of “good news”. Well, that is precisely where the Christian faith comes in – and that is what the Christian faith is all about. Remember how Jesus said it: “In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) These three powerful phrases sum up the gospel. Claim it and believe it.

Let us pray: O Lord, our Shepherd, who leads us by still waters and into green pastures, we thank you for the times in our lives when life is strong and good. Teach us to remember, though, that you are with us at all times, even when the waters are not still and the pastures are not green and when the way is fraught with danger or difficulty. Your loving-kindness surpasses all our imagination, and your faithfulness is to all generations. Now let the joy of your presence break upon us like a gentle, cloudless sunrise with birds singing, that our spirits may soar to you in simple wonder. Through Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

There is a great story in the book of 2 Kings (chapter 5) in which Naaman, a commander of an enemy army gets leprosy. He hears that there is a prophet named Elisha in Israel who may be able to heal him. In all humility, Naaman seeks out the prophet and asks for help.

I have to imagine it would not have been easy for this “military brass” to show any sign of weakness, much less to ask for help from the enemy. He clearly must have been out of options. However, when he shows up, the prophet Elisha won’t even see the commander. Instead, he sends Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River.

There would be no great show of power, no lavish attention, no special prayers, just a swim in a muddy river. This was not exactly what Naaman was expecting, so he became indignant, angry. But once again, desperate for healing, he humbles himself. He follows Elisha’s orders, and he is healed.

This story just reminds me that on the journey of life, things don’t always go according to our expectations. Our plans and our dreams don’t always work out as we’d hoped. There are unexpected detours all along the way.

The story raises the question: How often does my pride, my ego, my need to be in control, or my need to be right, get in the way of my own healing?

Today, I pray for an openness of spirit, a level of humility, and a willingness to trust.

Let us pray: Loving God, we recognize that you do not always work in concert with our expectations. Your healing and redemption often come in unexpected ways through unexpected means. Keep us humble and open. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Today I am deeply grateful for the Dial Hope Board of Directors and for all who give so generously of their time behind the scenes to make Dial Hope a reality.

John Wesley was a powerful preacher who had a huge influence on the churches of England and America. However, in his day, there was another preacher named George Whitfield who was even more popular than Wesley. He drew far larger crowds and baptized far more people into the faith. Whitfield and Wesley were actually very close friends until they had a falling out over Whitfield’s strict adherence to Calvinist doctrine.

One day after the falling out, a reporter asked Whitfield whether or not he expected to see John Wesley in heaven.

“No,” answered Whitfield.

“That’s what I thought you would say,” the reporter replied.

“But you don’t know what I mean,” said Whitfield. “Wesley will be so far up there near the great Throne, I will never see him.”

I have to admire that kind of humility. The kind of humility that allows us to love and respect someone even in spite of serious differences in theology – or politics. It is a reminder to me that when I get to heaven, I know there will be people there who I’m surprised to see. And, if I am honest, I know there will be people there who will surprised to see me!

Let us pray: Gracious God, we thank you that we do not have to be the judge of the world. We thank you that we don’t have to have all the answers or solve all the problems. Today, we simply ask for the grace to love and accept those who do not share our theology, politics, or worldview. In our love and acceptance may we experience your love and acceptance anew. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

This passage from Isaiah is often read near the beginning of Advent. It brings us back to the time before Christ when the community of faith first began to look for signs of a coming messiah… In chapter 64, verse 1, the prophet begins with this cry: “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down…”

There is a sense of desperation… a sense of longing…

Maybe you know what that’s like as you look at the world around you… the heartache and pain of all that’s happening in Israel and Gaza… the deep concerns within our own country – perhaps even concerns within your own family…

O that you would tear open the heavens and come down… Set things right… bring healing… bring justice… bring peace…

Isaiah was indeed looking at the world around him…and he acknowledges that God’s timing is not our timing. He goes on to write:

From ages past no one has heard,

    no ear has perceived,

 no eye has seen any God besides you,

    who works for those who wait for him.

Here there is a prayer for redemption – and at the same time a reminder that even in the waiting God is at work… in the world… and in us… In us, because he adds this remarkable statement…You are the Potter. We are the clay.

I take this to be a statement of hope… perhaps even the focus of a prayer.

As we continue to prepare for Christmas, as we pray for, long for, and wait for the coming of Christ, may we also trust. May we trust that even now God is at work.

Let us pray: God of Hope, we thank you for this holy season, and for your love for each of us… Shape us and mold us more and more into the image of your Son Jesus. Grant us patience, kindness, and generosity. Grant us eyes to see your kingdom already in-breaking. And grant us hearts to get in on it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.