“I think what might be happening here is the difference between hope and expectations,” I recently offered to my friends and ministry partners.
My friends and ministry partners have been serving one of the most vulnerable populations in our community for a couple of years now. They have witnessed some incredible things but have also struggled with the fatigue which comes from consistently pouring yourself out for the sake of another, and not seeing the results you expected. In many ways, I am inspired by my friends because of their commitment to love and serve even though they know many of their efforts will not lead to changes they can see right away. It can lead someone ask: “Is any of this worth it? Am I making any difference at all?”
As I sat with my friends who were asking a version of these questions, I began to reflect on the difference between Hope and Expectations when it comes to serving others. We can bring our very best efforts, we can share our best thinking, we can show up consistently with best practices, and we can give and love until it hurts. Expectations reveal themselves when we do all these things for someone else, they do not make healthy choices, and it crushes us. Expectations often expose an illusion of control, and, when they aren’t met, we are disappointed.
By comparison, Hope includes the same actions – best efforts, thinking, practices, giving and loving. However, Hope keeps us going even when the people or things we have poured our energy into do not make healthy choices. Hope invites us to faithful service without knowing what the results will be. Hope embraces the belief that there is One Who Holds All Things Together and is making all things new. Hope does not disappoint us.
As we enter the agony and the beauty of Good Friday, Silent Saturday, and Easter Sunday, it is my prayer that our Expectations would be released so that Hope can take hold. The resurrection of Jesus the Christ is the clearest sign of Hope we have. It reminds us that all things will be renewed and restored, which can inspire us to love, serve and give without fear or anxiety.
Grace and Peace,
Kyle Dickinson
From SLF Partner, Capital Futbol Club
“Capital Futbol Club (CFC) and SLF have a special collaboration on a unique after school program called Grass Roots After School Soccer Program (GRASSP). It first launched in 2010 as a strategy to help youth stay better connected to their education and has since served thousands of youth in our community with an opportunity for physical activity, team learning, and a sense of belonging. Today, GRASSP sees after school programming in 25 schools, mostly Title I schools, and serves more than 650 youth. With weekly training sessions and seasonal tournaments, GRASSP has proven itself as an effective intervention strategy to support youth at no cost to families.
GRASSP is significant to our community because schools utilize the program as an intervention strategy for at-risk youth. School communities see GRASSP as a pathway for youth to build positive relationships with their peers and adults in their school, resulting in better attendance, improved classroom behavior, and a renewed appreciation for their school community. In addition to donating soccer gear and consistent space to play soccer games, CFC and SLF support programs by educating and empowering coaches. Together, we believe soccer has the power to transform youth and the trajectory of their education.”
– Collin Box, Executive Director, Capital Futbol Club