Optimism. It’s a word that I have often cringed at. To me, it means believing in fairy-tales, trusting that someday your daydreams will become reality. At least, this is what I have been inclined to think. I like to think of myself as a “realist”. I just go through life thinking, “Que Sera, Sera. Whatever will be, will be.” In other words, the glass is not half-empty nor half-full, it is merely at the halfway point.
Now, this is not to say that I don’t try for things or work to make things happen; I just don’t believe that I have much control over most of life’s outcomes. For instance, I can practice for years, training my voice to be the best that it has the capacity to be, but I still might not ever have what it takes to beat out all of the competition on American Idol. That’s okay. It just means that sometimes I win, and sometimes I lose. Not a big deal. It’s life. In fact, I hate to admit it, but sometimes I even enjoy thinking a little pessimistically. As an example, I try not to get myself too pumped up about a new movie that I’m going to see, and just tell myself it will probably be nothing special. That way, when it ends up being fabulous, I am pleasantly surprised and pleased.
This is how I’ve been for the better part of my life, and I’ve been somewhat annoyed—even angry—at people for telling me I ought to be otherwise.
Until recently.
Recently I realized that optimism can be the very thing that holds your world together when everything is falling apart, keeps you from falling into despair when all hope seems lost, keeps you alive. Because recently I realized that being optimistic is really just having faith.
Sometimes it is scary to have faith. Sometimes it makes you feel silly, because all of the odds, all of “science” is against you. And sometimes, you just don’t feel that you have the strength. But the cool thing about faith is that it is powerful—so amazingly powerful. And just the littlest bit of it can go such a long way, can change your utter despair to hope and gladness.
And faith and optimism are infectious. When others see the faith that you have in something, they begin to believe too. They begin to hope for that thing for you. They begin to pray and rally and work together to support you. And sometimes all of that hope and support, prayer and love, optimism and faith are just what it takes to make a miracle happen—even despite what “science” says.
A dear friend of mine, Amy Wengert, witnessed a terrible car accident two weeks ago. Her husband of just six months was the driver of the vehicle that was crushed before her eyes. Dallin Wengert had suffered brain damage, and was in a coma. The doctors warned that he might not wake up…and if he did, he might never be the same. Amy and her family stayed by his side—”Winging it”, as they say, with optimism.
Most of this is a normal story—accidents happen every day, and family members just have to wait and see what will happen. But what makes this story different, I think, is that Amy and her family have spent the last couple of weeks celebrating Dallin and his life, remembering all of the fun things they have done together, and planning for the future. Amy and Dallin are going to be parents soon, and Amy just knows that Dallin is going to be there for his child. The family is so optimistic and faithful, and this faith and hope has literally drawn THOUSANDS of people to support and pray for them! It is amazing to see all of the love that is being offered from all over the nation!
And maybe all of that optimism is merely giving strength to this heart-broken family. Maybe it is just supporting a young wife while she faces one of the biggest horrors she could have dreamed of dealing with this young in life.
Maybe.
But maybe faith is just what it takes to create a miracle. Because Dallin woke up, just over a week after his accident. And, even though a million things can still go wrong, he is continuing to fight and progress and get better. And just the mere thought of the joy that the Wengert family has right now is enough to humble me into believing in optimism.
Life is hard. Life is sometimes cruel and dark and unfair. Sometimes it’s all that we can do to get through the challenges that seem to corrode our days. But we must have faith! We must believe that things can change. What we see now is only part of the picture. Only if we are optimistic will we live to see all of the most beautiful things that are yet to come.
As Dallin Wengert’s mother, Laura, says, “We don’t know what the future holds…but we are excited to find out!”
To learn more about Dallin Wengert’s condition and what you can do to help, you can go to https://www.facebook.com/DallinandAmyWengert.
Reblogged this on diazfellah.
I just wanted to leave a comment that I really needed this. I don’t know you but this was exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve been struggling to figure out how I’m going to finish my last year of college as my husband finishes up as well and we have one child, with another due in the middle of the year. So thank you for being God’s mouth for the words He knew I needed to hear! Also you’re a great writer! Have a great day!
Thank you so much, Kathryn. I am so grateful to the Wengert family and to all others who are endlessly humbling me by the strength of their own faith. Really, it is them who you should thank for this article, because they are the ones who inspired it. Either way, I am so glad that it could lift your spirits. Life is so burdensome sometimes. I don’t know exactly how you feel right now, but I can imagine some of my own situations have been similar. I know God loves you and that he will provide a way–the best way–for your situation to be worked out! Just keep having faith and working hard. And I’ll keep you in my own prayers as well. 🙂
This post has me in tears.
It reminds me of a dream I had not to long ago; it was similar in that my husband too was in a very critical condition, one that science said he would never make it.
I was scared and I stayed by his side the entire time, I refused to go home. Deep down, I had the faith. I had faith that Heavenly Father would make things okay. I just had to keep that faith and put it in his hands.
The dream continued, I stayed with him and would tell him stories. I would cry and I would laugh. One night about 3 am, I was telling him our story and I started to cry and then I felt him squeeze my hand so I continued to talk to him, I saw a tear fall down his cheek and then he woke up. I knew he heard me. He continued getting better day by day. Even when he was at his most critical condition, he never got worse, he just continued to progress day by day.
When he woke up, I was right there by his side holding his hand. He told me that it was my strength and my faith that kept him fighting, even when he wasn’t awake for us to realize, he knew when I was there and when I wasn’t. The times I wasn’t there, he stopped progressing because he was scared that I left, but when I came back. He knew it was okay. He knew my strength and faith in Heavenly Father.
He knew that no matter what happened, I was there for him and so was Heavenly Father. He kept that faith inside himself the entire time. My husband knew that our marriage was eternal and that forever was real.
Heavenly Father has tender mercies and he will make things right when all around us says its impossible, because with him, all things are possible. We must hold onto him as tightly as we can. He loves us more than words can say and he will take pain and sadness and turn them into something more beautiful than we could ever imagine.
My thoughts and prayers are with this family. Our Heavenly Father loves them dearly and he will be right there, by their side. Carrying them. Give it to him and he will make things a blessing. Life is Hard, but Life is Good.
Reblogged this on mudpuddlebunny and commented:
Amazing story of faith and hope and Heavenly Father’s tender mercies. Pray for this family.
Trina Robertson Sadler: I lost my husband 11 yrs ago in a tragic car accident. It has been extremely difficult but optimism is the key in getting through.. Soo happy and grateful to hear he pulled through!! What a beautiful story! Thank you so much for sharing!! Will be such a big help to others! Keeping your sweet family in my prayers!
Trina, thank you for sharing. I am so sorry to hear about your loss! I cannot imagine how hard that must have been. Still, it warms my heart to hear you speak of optimism (and faith) as the key. I can tell that you are a strong woman, and know that the Lord loves you. I know He has a plan for you.
What a lovely article. Really well done.
With the picture of him lying in bed there lying in the bed next to him on his left is what looks like a bearded angel(upside down) ….
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story of optimism, I so very much needed to hear these words exactly, today!
Prayers to this young couple!