Hope. Belief. Anticipation. The nectar of life. Looking forward to something adds sweetness to the present. It draws us winsomely into the days, hours and weeks ahead. It pull us through challenges, allows us to ignore wounds, to push through hurt and resistance. It gives perspective to immediate challenges and puts both discomfort and pleasure into perspective against what is to come. The first words that the mother speaks to the hurting child is about how it will get better soon. The incredible pain of childbirth becomes bearable only with the knowledge of the baby’s imminent arrival.
The sprint to the finish line overcomes the pain of the effort.
