Holding on to hope

We have all been there – whether we’re racing against a critical deadline, sitting in the doctor’s surgery awaiting a scary diagnosis, watching the flames take hold of our house or pondering memories of sitting next to a precious loved one as they held onto life, we know what it’s like to need comfort and reassurance.

About four years ago, I was asked to produce a tract to give to those who are suffering the comfort and reassurance of our Lord’s presence to go with a ‘holding cross’. This was to be a tangible reminder that not only can we hold onto Jesus in these times, but more importantly that Jesus holds onto us.

The tract features the poem Hold on to the Cross by Lyn Garrard and its words brought comfort to an elderly man who held onto the cross as he passed to his eternal home. A cross and tract were given to a neighbour as she heard the dreaded news of terminal cancer. She held it firmly, gaining strength from the knowledge that God was holding her. Then throughout her treatment, it was in her hand, giving comfort that God was going through this with her. Then it brought thankfulness and joy as the cancer was being beaten.

Each of us is precious in God’s sight, so hold on tightly to God’s promises, his word and his cross, and may they bring the hope and assurance he freely gives us.

For this tract and others like it, go to our Lutheran Tract Mission website: www.ltm.org.au

• Visit www.lca.org.au/spread-the-word to find promotional materials (bulletin inserts, A5 flyers, PowerPoint slides and social media posts) to help you spread the word about our Story of the Week.
• Read the full Story of the Week and other stories like it in The Lutheran. 11 editions/year. Only $45 (Aust), $47 (NZ). Gift subscriptions available. To subscribe: online www.thelutheran.com.au email lutheran.subs@lca.org.au phone 08 8360 7270