It you follow the Christian calendar, this week marks the beginning of Advent. As we prepare for the celebration of Christ’s birth, this week is marked by hope. Sometimes hope is easier to hold onto than others.

Our son, the drummer, has been experiencing numbness in his fingers, ears, legs and toes. It gets much worse when he drums. After several doctors appointments including a neurologist, he just received his diagnosis. It has the fancy name of migratory sensory neuropathy. It is a rare condition with no cure. The good new is that is not progressive. However, it doesn’t feel like good news.

Drumming has alway brought him tremendous joy. His dad and I love watching him play because that joy is so evident as he plays. This has been devastating to all of us. It is hard to see his dream disappear as he is just getting started. Yet, I am reminded there is always hope.

As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. (Psalm 71:14 NIV).

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:28 NIV)

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know there is one. We have decided to look into alternative therapies in hopes of finding something that will alleviate his symptoms. While conventional medicine offers a lot, it doesn’t have all of the answers. I still have hope for a cure, better answers, and a way through this obstacle. I’m holding unswervingly to His promises.

The promise shows up as a babe in a manger. The promise brings grace, mercy and unconditional love. The promise may not give me exactly what I want, but He won’t let me down. On the other side of this, there will be joy.

Do you always hope? Do you believe in the promise of the Babe? What do you cling to when when life challenges your hope? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.