As Modern-Day Esthers, we carry the burden of remembering the hostages — even when the world seems to move on, even when the news cycle grows silent. Right now, only twenty hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza. Imagine their despair after nearly two years in captivity. Imagine their families’ anguish after 681 days of waiting for answers, waiting for freedom, waiting for hope.
How hopeless they must feel. And yet — we are called to stand in the gap, to carry hope for them when they cannot carry it themselves.
A Devotional by Chaplain Michael Sprague
This appeared in the Journal of the A. M.A. Jane McAdams told the story of her 69 year-old mom who had lived a life deeply marked by the Great Depression of the 1930's. The evidence showed in her frugality and utterly practical perspective on all material things. The only extravagance she had ever permitted herself was a frilly nightgown kept in a bottom drawer, “In case I should ever have to go into the hospital.” That day had come. All the symptoms spoke of a serious cancer, and McAdams feared the moment when she would have to tell her mom that the prognosis was very poor. The daughter wondered, “Should I tell my mother? Did she already know? Could I give her any hope? Was there any hope?”
As she wrestled with these questions, McAdams noted that her mom’s birthday was approaching. Perhaps she could brighten her mom’s days by purchasing a new nightgown because the one that had been in the bottom drawer was yellowed and limp. So, she purchased and presented a new nightgown and matching robe. “If I could not hope to cure her disease, at least I could make her feel like the prettiest patient in the hospital.” McAdams described how her mom studied the gown after the package was opened. And after a while she pointed to the gown and said to her daughter, “Would you mind returning it? I don’t really want it." Then picking up the paper she pointed to a display ad and said, "This is what I really want, if you could get that." What she pointed to was a display ad of expensive designer summer purses.
My reaction was one of disbelief. Why would my mother, so careful about extravagances, want an expensive summer purse in January — one that she could not possibly use until June? She would not even live until spring, let alone summer. Almost immediately, I was ashamed and appalled at my ignorance, insensitivity, call it what you will. With a shock, I realized she was finally asking me what I thought about her illness. She was asking me how long she would live. She was, in fact, asking me if I thought she would live even 6 months. And she was telling me that if I showed I believed she would live until then, then she would. She would not let that expensive purse go unused. That day I returned the gown and robe and bought the purse.
That was many years ago. The purse is worn out and long gone, as are at least half a dozen others. And next week my mother flies to California to celebrate her 83rd birthday. My gift to her? The most expensive designer purse I could find. She’ll use it well.
The gift of God’s hope to a broken-world person is the gift not of a nightgown that announces death, but of a summer purse that says there is life in the midst of trouble.
That is the message of the Cross and the Empty Tomb to every broken-world person. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Whatever your pain today... I have good news:
THERE IS HOPE. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
YOU ARE LOVED. OH SO LOVED.
Carrying Hope for the Hostages
Michael’s story of Jane and her mother reminds us that hope is not a denial of reality — it is a lifeline in the midst of it. The hostages in Gaza and their families may feel too broken, too exhausted, too forgotten to hope anymore. That’s where we come in.
As Modern-Day Esthers, we must carry the hope they cannot hold. We pray, we intercede, we speak their names, and we remind the world that they are not forgotten. Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Until every captive is free, let us be the ones to carry hope on their behalf.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Sprague is the Louisiana State Chaplain with the Capitol Commission and President of Grace Adventures (www.capitolcommissionlouisiana.org). Michael is engaged in relational outreach and discipleship, teaching, coaching, writing, and speaking. He serves as a “non-political” friend to people in the halls of leadership and loves to help people get to know the Jesus of the Scriptures.
Michael has been featured on Fox and Friends, Fox Business Risk and Reward, Moody Radio, and Christianity Today. He holds a Business degree from the University of Maryland, a Master of Divinity degree from Capital Bible Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. He served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Church in Covington, Louisiana for 11 years, and formerly served for 15 years at Forcey Bible Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he helped launch the Touch Global Crisis Response Ministry for the E.F.C.A., now multiplying compassion ministry around the world. Michael has traveled extensively to Israel, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, and Greece, and leads annual study trips to the Holy Land. He does life with his wonderful wife Donna and resides in Mandeville, Louisiana.
Republished with Permission
