tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post5117020499899192171..comments2024-01-07T09:34:44.086-05:00Comments on What Canst Thou Say?: Got hope?Robin M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10336915224193704866noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-28604535368563673832008-05-19T14:40:00.000-04:002008-05-19T14:40:00.000-04:00I just wonder, why was hope in the same box with a...I just wonder, why was hope in the same box with all the other misfortunes? I don't know enough about ancient Greek culture to understand the deeper meanings of the myth.Robin M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10336915224193704866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-53031130922325040932008-05-19T13:14:00.000-04:002008-05-19T13:14:00.000-04:00The version of Pandora's story that I read first h...The version of Pandora's story that I read first had a different spin: that after all the misfortunes came out of the box, she looked in and there was Hope, which hadn't flown out of the box. And that was a compensation, or balance, for letting everything else out. There's probably something in the fact that hope didn't fly away, but was right there for the taking, as well. <BR>I think this is connected to how it is difficult to experience extreme joy without being open to extreme sorrow; I wrapped myself up in a cocoon for several years in which both extremes were dulled, and it was painful to break free but definitely worth it.<BR><BR/>Now, I'm not saying this is the Greek way of thinking about the myth. I think I read my version in the 1924 World Book Encyclopedia, so it would reflect a 20th century American view.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09195146619739591016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-51261881016214982722008-05-11T01:04:00.000-04:002008-05-11T01:04:00.000-04:00"I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hop..."I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope<BR/>For hope would be hope for the wrong thing; wait without love<BR/>For love would be love of the wrong thing; there is yet faith<BR/>But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting.<BR/>Wait without thought, for you are not ready for thought:<BR/>So the darkness shall be the light, and the stillness the dancing."<BR/>--T.S. Eliot<BR/>East Coker<BR/><BR/>I remember once in meeting, I was heartbroken with sorrow over something that I couldn't have, and I was praying to God about it..."Why can't I have it? Why? Please please give it to me..." And in the middle of my heartbreak, my 5 yr old tugged at my arm, in tears. "Daddy won't give me my bag of toys," he whispered. And I knew that Daddy had a good reason for not giving over this particular bag full of noisy toys, so I smiled and whispered back, "Don't worry. He'll give it to you after meeting. Just wait. It will be ok." And I suddenly felt God tapping my shoulder and smiling at me.... and I had to smile... OK, Abba. You have Your good reasons. I will wait for this particular bag of noisy toys. How long will meeting be?Shawna Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18031043060163590745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-89196289787905515332008-05-09T18:52:00.000-04:002008-05-09T18:52:00.000-04:00Thanks for this Robin. Forgive me if I wear my ped...Thanks for this Robin. Forgive me if I wear my pedant's hat for a bit but I think that when Pandora let all the evils into the world it was hope that was left in the box. I don't know if that makes a difference for you.<BR/><BR/>I am naturally a pessimist,always waiting for the big foot in the sky to come down and crush me[as in the Monty Python titles]. There have been a couple of times in my life, mainly connected with jobs, when I have hoped for something and been really disappointed when it didn't happen - going right back into self-hating pessimist mode. But later, looking back, I have seen these experiences as preparation for the times when things did go right and something better came along.<BR/><BR/>Many years ago in meeting I was given three messages and it was clear to me that these words were for me to ponder and not to share in spoken ministry.I have kept them by me and I find that together they really help. Perhaps they may do the same for you.<BR/><BR/>The messages were first "Count your blessings", second "A way will open" and third "My time is not your time".Gil Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09333053235167826429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-23222001631880780482008-05-09T11:52:00.000-04:002008-05-09T11:52:00.000-04:00Anj, one of the healing ideas that keeps occurring...Anj, one of the healing ideas that keeps occurring to me is that I have to keep in perspective the magnitude of my current disappointment. Yes, I don't know when I wanted something so badly, for so long, that seemed so right, that didn't come true, and it's okay to take some time to mourn that, but really, I haven't lost much. I learned a lot and I made some new friends in the process. Compared to many people, my life is still pretty good. Or maybe I should say, my life is still pretty easy. One of the things I am learning this year is that sometimes it is the people we depend on that disappoint us. I think that's not a new one for you. I'm glad my words were useful and not just adding to the pain in the world.Robin M.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10336915224193704866noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13642801.post-88412927913416960912008-05-08T09:13:00.000-04:002008-05-08T09:13:00.000-04:00Robin - I have been thinking a lot about hope late...Robin - I have been thinking a lot about hope lately too. I remember my counselor about 11 years ago quoting a portion of Proverbs 13 to me: Hope deferred makes the heart sick,But desire fulfilled is a tree of life. I wonder if hope would be part of the knowledge received in the story of the Garden and eating the apple. Hope as a gift makes sense to me right now. Finding meaning in the life that is happening is another aspect that makes sense. My husband is the first optimist I have ever lived with; his willingness to live with hope has started a lot of my pondering. Your words have added to the mix. If hope is a gift, then doesn't it matter if we choose to receive it? I'm sorry this job did not come through. Your words in the prior post of seeking paid work that you respect that respects you hold much meaning too. How do we support each other in disappointment and loss? In life and hope? Today I will be humming the words of the song you have quoted. Maybe that is a good start for me.anjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10907362042684864253noreply@blogger.com