HOPE

Hope is like a small flower

Growing in the spring

Beside the still, cold blanket of snow.

It's fragile when new

Easily damaged

Easily broken.

With faith it grows

And becomes strong.

It is the breath of life.

Hope needs faith to grow

It needs love also.

Or do faith and love need hope?

They are all fragile when new

So take care of where you step

And of what you do.

You can't tell by looking

If the roots are strong yet

Or if it is still a fragile flower.

Give it warmth and caring,

Be sure God's love reaches it,

And the flower will grow stronger day by day.

© Marcia McLaughlin, 1996