Day 8: Sharing Hope

This January, I was among some of the first staff laid-off during the shuttering of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). At first, I spent a lot of time crying or just staring at the ceiling in despair. I grieved not only for my career but also for the children who would die as a result of the Agency’s closure. Everything felt so hopeless. 

Eventually, though, some good came out of this awful situation, even if fulltime employment hasn’t yet. Without a job, I’ve been radically available to show up for others. Never in my life had I ever been able to give my presence so freely. 

Outside the Supreme Court in February at an emergency interfaith prayer vigil for foreign aid. Participating in advocacy events and protests is one of the ways I have made use of my time while out of work this year.

This year I’ve accompanied friends through heartache and hardship: divorce, miscarriages, job loss, health scares, and difficult pregnancies. I’ve been able to show up and provide rides to doctor’s appointments, grocery deliveries, last-minute babysitting, event planning, furniture building, and plant watering. I’ve kept them company during three-hour medical tests and long, stressful court dates – things that would have been difficult to do in my old job. 

I am not sure how I would have made it through this year had I not learned to appreciate accompaniment and ministry of presence during my time with Franciscan Mission Service (2011-2016). Drawing on my experience with FMS helped me find ways to make the most of my unexpected “free time,” as well as opened me up to accepting accompaniment and support for myself. 

It’s a position I am not used to being in, but I have been blessed to be on the receiving end of such an outpouring of love this year. Friends have sent me encouraging notes, prayed for me, listened to me vent, gave me gift cards and presents, treated me to dinners and outings, offered me odd jobs, sent me career opportunities, edited my resume, and helped me practice for interviews. They keep hope alive even when things feel impossible. 

“But the Virgin also goes to Elizabeth to share her faith in the God of the impossible and her hope in the fulfilment of His promises.” – Pope Francis

About halfway through the year, a friend reached out because they are going through a truly horrific situation. Ever since, I have been their fulltime support person. 

They’ve expressed how crucial it has been to just have someone be there, but given their prolonged and intense need, they’ve also expressed concern that they’d “drown” me by putting too much on me. Because I have so many people propping me up, however, I have the strength to support this friend. 

“You’ve never made me feel like I am too much for you,” they’ve said. To me, successfully upholding someone’s fundamental dignity in this way — making them feel seen, heard, and valued — is Christ’s love in motion. Because we are never “too much” for God. 

Like Mary rushing to help the elderly Elizabeth with her pregnancy, the love of Christ impels me to be with my friend and not leave them to deal with a challenging situation all on their own. And this love gives me the humility, patience, and openness for God to work through me to give my friend encouragement and hope to endure the impossible. 

Questions for reflection: Where have you found God in impossibly hopeless situations?  Who is God calling you to share hope with this Advent?

Stickers of artwork by my friend – and FMS returned missioner – Annemarie Barrett. I photographed them this year for her Etsy shop but also feel they represent sources of hope during this challenging year.