Where is the hope?

"But, while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate."

Luke 15:20b-24

I got home on Thursday night. On Friday night, it started raining. It has rained all through the night and, as I sit outside, this morning. Rain is God's way of telling me everything is going to be okay. 

It's taken every ounce of strength God has given me to not cry every second of every day. I knew this trip was going to change me. But I didn't know it would be like this. I didn't know the conflict that I found feel coming home. I've gotten to sleep in the comfort of my own bed. I've seen family and a few friends. I know I have been welcomed home. 

I didn't expect to be back so soon. I didn't know that I would process like this. I just didn't know. The only way I know how to describe how I feel is in the passage above...

I am filled with compassion for them. For the women. For the children. Even for the men. 

They are all broken. 

But, in that brokenness, there is hope. There is always hope, because of our Savior. 

A beautiful girl, named Sarah, waited for two months for rescue. She was 15 years old.  For two long, bleak months she waited. But there was hope. She knew rescue was coming. Rescue came. 

Our hope cannot be in any person or thing besides Christ. He is our only hope. In Him, all things are possible.