stone of hope

One of the most precious gifts I received this Christmas came in the mail and was received upon my return from holiday travel.  My friend sent me this stone with the word "Hope" carved into it.  In addition to this stone that I unwrapped, there was also a card in that stack of mail from another friend with a blessing for "hope in this new year wrapped in bright shiny packaging..."
Last week as we were commemorating MLK day, I came across the following excerpt from his "I Have a Dream" speech

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
  
Other than the 40th chapter of Isaiah, this brings to my mind - Romans 5:1-5
"we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character, hope."

If in our despair and suffering we persevere,
hewing away at the mountain and allowing the valleys to be filled,
then we are shaped and carved ourselves as we work and pray and struggle,
so that we come to experience more fully a tangible hope
that we behold with our eyes and hold in our hearts and hands.

I hold on to that hope as I hold on to my "Hope" stone -
knowing that it symbolizes what lies within the mountain,
that it represents what lies ahead...

the glory of the Lord shall be revealed!