Hope…

A couple weeks ago Rich Nathan made an interesting statement during his Sunday sermon. He cited some data source I’ve forgotten that highlighted an alarming trend in Europe – a number of European countries are predicting negative growth rates for 2050. When young Europeans were surveyed as to the root why behind their decision to not have kids the melody line was a lack of hope. This is huge. Without hope we don’t reproduce. Without hope we don’t dream. As I let his message sink in it reminded me how thankful, grateful, and hopeful intermingle.

Way back in the day, Chet and Marie Scott after surviving WWII, the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl, decided to get married. As soon as Chet was through medical school it only made sense to them to start having babies. Settling in Salina, Kansas they were optimistic Jayhawks to say the least. Marie’s first pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage, as did the next two. Hope took a hit. My two brothers, Charles Godwin and David Michael, didn’t live a week. Hope hit bottom. After a handful of unsuccessful attempts most normal humans would have given up. Chet and Marie, however, decided to keep trying. Kathryn Ann was born on January 6, 1956 and they immediately went for another. Mary Marie came bursting on the scene August 10, 1957 and the Scott family had doubled. Marie was satisfied. Chet, however, wanted a boy. So, after all those births, all the pain, and in the middle of all the work involved in raising two toddlers and a family medical practice, they pushed for one more little human. Chester E. Scott II came screaming onto the scene on March 25, 1959 and here I am 56 years later writing about it. Chet and Marie were filled with hope…

Thank God they were. They had been through all kinda hard times and acute pain. They had not lost hope. They brought babies into the world and gave them what they hadn’t been given – gifts, good clothes, bikes, balls, piano lessons, cars, their own rooms (Not totally true. I had my own room, sisters shared), and more attention than could ever have been given to them. You see, Chet and Marie had big dreams for the kinda world they were giving their children, fueled by their hope for better times. We inherited this hope. We are blessed beyond belief as a result. Actually, we are blessed with belief as a result. You see, leaders are believers. Leaders, the kind you and I will follow, that is, are filled with belief. Leaders believe in themselves, their teams, and their vision. Leaders believe the best is not behind them but it’s just up ahead. Leaders are dreamers. You and I don’t dream if we don’t have hope. I hope you’re getting this and I hope you’re giving it too…

What do you believe? Are you believable? Are you letting a few hard times rob you and your team of hope?

At BTL we believe our best times are still ahead. We are a band of believers with big dreams to come alongside our family, friends, and clients, and make them do what they can. We aim to become elite builders of elite teams. We model the way, embrace pain and suffering, and attempt to embody truth in LOVE. We have had it easy. We are preparing for when it is hard. And, we are filled with hope for those we serve. Thanks, Rich, for another good reminder about our need for hope. And, thanks Chet and Marie for not stopping, for your hope in spite of deep hurts, and for always giving me the gift of your belief. God, help me. I’m doing my best to pass it along.

Good…