Several weeks ago, we saw the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel with some friends, a thoroughly enjoyable film. I have seen many people since then repeat the constant refrain of Sunny, the young hotel proprietor: “Everything will be all right in the end, and if it’s not all right, then trust me, it’s not the end.” The line came to mind during my prayer yesterday.
I’ve been using Paul’s letter to the Romans for my daily prayer. Yesterday I prayed with the first part of Chapter 5 of Romans. Paul writes that “we even boast of our afflictions, knowing that afflictions produce endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
Hope does not disappoint. This is not hope as in “I hope the Mets win tomorrow,” recognizing that they could just as easily lose, or “I hope I win the lottery,” knowing there is very little chance I will. This is hope in the sense of certain expectation. Hope with confidence. Hope that knows we will not be disappointed.
Things may not go well for us at one or more times (or many) times during our lives. We will suffer. We will experience heartache and loss. But we also know that in the end it will be all right because the love of God has been poured into our hearts.
If is not all right, trust me, it’s not the end.
Creo en Dios! 
Coincidence! I am intrigued with the word “hope.” Also wrote about it in my July column. I’ll post it on FB after it’s published online. Hope is intrinsic. It gets us through. Thanks for this.
Dame Julian of Norwich makes a similar claim – “All will be well, and all manner of things will be well”.