An exercise in hoping

In Romans 4:18a we have “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations.” When online teaching began students and teachers alike were unprepared, but students were patient while their teachers adapted from using the blackboard to Jamboard, and teachers were understanding while students had to adapt to learn from their bedrooms. I’ve learned a lot from other teachers, and from my students— on how to keep classes interesting, best ways to engage the students with the subject, but also when to let them speak—the children are not used to being alone, and are not used to staying in one place for so long.

My house became a distribution point for donations that came to our church, as it had the easiest access. The ladies from church called to check on each other, and the youth organized their lives to talk about “What would Christ do in our situation.” I’ve learned communion and generosity with them.

 Still, the cases in Brazil kept rising. We were in the middle of a political crisis when the COVID-19 health crisis came to add up to the mix. In Portuguese we have a saying that goes “Miséria pouca é bobagem” and its meaning goes along the lines of “there’s nothing bad that can’t get worse.” I found solace teaching my classes, but anxiety filled me still in the other moments—there were days that I found difficult to find a will to live, but Romans 4:18a kept coming to me. Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed.

 When all hope seemed lost came the first news of efficient vaccines. I remember the warm feeling in my heart, seeing people from other countries get vaccinated. And then the first person to be vaccinated in Brazil was an elder woman and hope bloomed in my heart again. I know it’s still early in the process of immunization, yet it is nice to know that we are on the way, it is an exercise in hoping. That being said, we need to keep in mind that we should keep wearing masks and sanitizing what we touch. After all, we should look out for others.

In Hebrew 6:15 it is said that “after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.” May we soon find out this feeling, and may the Holy Spirit keep your hope alive in your heart. May you exercise your hope, but also your generosity and kindness, so when this ends, we’ll be in a better society.