They (literally) can't wait

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT: KIERA PHYO

“Should I call an ambulance?” I’ve just been asked the question every parent dreads to hear … I am at my local mum and tots coffee morning. I’m struggling to stay calm: “Nooo, I’m sure it’ll be fine.” I say... Yet on the inside, my heart is pounding.

A women’s very generous toddler, has just shared a crumpet smothered in peanut butter with my 8 month old daughter, Layla … who is now happily chopping away.

Normally, this wouldn’t be worthy of a 999 call, but Layla’s dad is fatally allergic to peanuts so there is a high chance she is allergic too. Peanut-butter is poison in our house … and I never eat it for fear of literally giving the kiss of death!

I grab the crumpet away from her. Petrified of an allergic shock... I stand staring at her … waiting, praying, hoping she will be okay. ...That afternoon we walk home, allergy-free … yipeee!

...This experience leaves me pondering the meaning of hope. Is it just a deep down feeling? … something I’m wishing for … something I’m praying for? … something that one day, if I’m lucky, may just happen?

“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” ...this description is from the Book of Hebrews in the Bible, which goes on to list great biblical heroes … people like Noah who built a boat on dry land when there was no sign of rain.

These heroes had a vision that looked different to what was in front of them. Their hope wasn’t just a feeling … it was a belief that with positive action something could be different – better.

Hope is more than me staring at my peanut-butter smothered daughter. It was me springing into action…wiping away the peanut-butter and washing out Layla’s mouth.

When we really hope for something … we don’t sit around wishing for it to land on our laps … we take a hopeful step forward, in faith … like the heroes of old.