by RTF Editor B.J. Hamrick

“Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping – believing that he would be the Father of many nations. For God had said to him, ‘That’s how many descendants you will have!’” Romans 4:18 (NLT)

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I lay in the damp grass and let its scent envelope me. It didn’t seem fair… me here, him there. Alone… hooked up to life-monitoring machines.

Katie sensed my worry.

“Look at the sky,” she said, trying to ease my pain. “There are your future children!”

We both looked up. It was then that we realized…

There was only one star.

The irony of the moment hit me head-on, and suddenly what started as a tickle in the back of my throat grew into a snort louder than Aunt Agatha’s loudest. Soon Katie and I held our sides as we tried to catch our breaths between laughs.

There was some guilt in that laughter. Dad was still hooked up to machines, fighting for every breath. I still wondered if he would be okay… if things would ever be the same again. But when the laughter finally ended, I realized something:

Katie had pointed me toward the stars. I could only see one, but the truth was, there were many, many more. I simply couldn’t see them at that moment. It was my job to believe despite what my eyes told me.

Maybe your life is dark right now. Maybe like me, someone you love is sick. Maybe your parents are fighting. Maybe you’ve been abandoned. Maybe your heart aches every time you see your ex with that other person. Maybe the teasing and the bullying just won’t end.

I don’t know what you’re going through, but can I encourage you today? Find someone who will help you see the stars. Don’t do this alone. Be like Abraham – even when there is no reason to hope, keep hoping! God will not let you down.

“For He has said, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5b (KJV)

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For more encouragement, please connect with BJ at realteenfaith(at)gmail(dot)com.