Steve's Desk February-March 2023

Half of the winter is behind us, but as you know, a lot of bad weather can still happen even in March.  It is Indiana!   But February does bring us a little hope with more sun than January and slightly warmer temperatures.  We will have to wait until Punxsutawney Phil peeks out of his burrow looking to his shadow to decide how much winter is left.  But be aware, he is only 39% accurate.  Even a weatherman’s 10-day forecasts are only 50% accurate. 
 
Looking to the future, we don’t see much hope and assurance.  The indicators of the economy aren’t very optimistic.  The upcoming Presidential campaign season leaves us dismayed about picking the right candidate.  And as tensions grow between counties worldwide, we wonder what will happen next.  Our present doesn’t give us much hope for tomorrow. 
 
I am reminded of the song entitled I Don’t Know About Tomorrow written by Ira Stanphill in 1950.  Mr. Stanphill, a minister, wrote this song after a decade of struggles and hardships, which led to the end of his marriage and his falling into a depression. During this time, his former wife lost her life in a tragic car accident. Although Mr. Stanphill’s present was so bleak, that he could not see much hope in the future, he held on in faith.  In time, he would see God’s provision, grow in his faith, and write the beloved words, “I don’t know about tomorrow, but I know who holds my hand.”  Mr. Stanphill found God’s assurance and comfort as he walked hand in hand with God throughout the rest of his life, even through a long battle with cancer.  This song is his testimony of hope in God’s faithful provision. This song shows us that when we are at the bottom of our despair, God is always faithful, which brings us hope.  The hope for tomorrow.   Remember this passage of hope:
 
2 Corinthians 1:10:  10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,
 
The future isn’t ours to know, but we have hope in the one who knows all about it!  This song is an excellent reminder.  We need to sing it more, especially when our present tries to steal our hope.