What Keeps Your Hope Machine Running Strong?
Almost three years ago I got the shocking news that my high school friend Karl died suddenly in his sleep. This was the first time someone close to me – someone “my age” – had died. (Yes, I recognize how this points to the privileges I’ve experienced throughout my life.)
Though it had been decades since I’d been in contact with most of the people from our mutual peer group, we “Friends of Karl” gathered on Zoom to tell stories and share memories about Karl – and to make space for our grief.
One of the music videos I shared during our Zoom gathering is called “Hope Machine.” Performed by The Okee Dokee Brothers, this is a bluegrass tune complete with yodeling. It was inspired by Woody Guthrie’s humorous list of personal routine reminders, such as “change socks.”
The refrain of the song goes: “They say life is hard, and they’re not wrong. So keep that hope machine running strong.” The gathered friends could attest to that truth: our hearts were broken by Karl’s death, and hope seemed too far off.
Though I don’t typically listen to bluegrass, I was touched with amusement by the video’s hilarious stick-figure illustrations as well as by the many simple yet profound suggestions for staying hope-filled:
Learn people good, learn myself the best.
Talk quiet, listen loud.
Teach humble, learn proud.
Scuffle with the struggle, wrestle with the pain.
Let in the sunshine, let in the rain.
The reminders from this light-hearted video during that time of deep grieving were important: we need to dance, laugh, move, and love. When it comes to practicing hope, lots of little actions can make a big difference.
Choosing Hope is no small feat some days. That’s why we have each other at Peoples Church. It’s a place where we center Love, giving and receiving support for ourselves and for the larger world. I’m grateful that we get to work together to keep our Hope Machine running strong.
Growing in Faith,
