Do you know the story about the little boy and the bucket of popcorn? It goes like this – There was
once a little boy who loved the big red bucket of popcorn sold at movie theaters. His dream was to
make enough money, go to the movies by himself, and buy a big red bucket of popcorn. After
sharing this dream with his parents, they informed him that if he could save up enough money, they
would let him go to the movies on his own and he could buy that popcorn. That was all the little boy
needed to hear.

For weeks, the little boy did his own chores and those of his sister and his father. The boy cut grass
in the neighborhood and sold a few of his coveted GI Joe action figure memorabilia to other kids.
After one month, he had saved up enough money and informed his parents. That next Friday
afternoon, elated, as his parents dropped him off at the matinee, he went to the counter, paid for
his movie ticket, and sprinted over to the concession stand. With pride welling in his chest, he
announced to the cashier “I’ll take the red bucket deal.” He was delirious with joy. He entered the
theater and found the best seat. He set his drink down and positioned the big red bucket of freshly
popped, salted, and buttered popcorn on his lap. He was in ‘movie heaven.’

As the movie started, the boy began eating his popcorn: popping kernel after kernel into his mouth.
The next kernel missed his mouth and the boy watched as it began to fall through the movie chair.
The moment that popcorn was about to hit the floor, the little boy sprang into action and caught it.
However, when he tried to lift his hand back up through the cushions, he realized that his hand was
stuck. He could not fit his clasped fist – that shielded that one kernel – back up through the
cushions. His body was now in an uncomfortable position. The bucket of popcorn on his lap was
out of his reach, and he could not clearly see the movie screen. But he held tightly to that kernel.

To return to a comfortable upright seated position: the boy would have to let go of that kernel, shift
his body, enjoy the rest of the popcorn on his lap, the soda, and the movie. Again, he would have to
let go. This was not an easy decision. Holding tightly to that one kernel, he reflected on the
challenging work that made this moment possible: the chores, cutting grass, and the toys he gave
up just to be in that movie seat. Part of him felt like he deserved every kernel because he had
earned them. He did not want to let go. Another part of him recognized that letting go of that one
kernel meant he could become more comfortable: enjoy the rest of the popcorn; watch the long-
anticipated movie, while sipping his soda. The little boy was at a crossroads: Let go, or hold on?

Hope is about where we put value. There is no hope in the past or present. Facts dictate those
spaces. Hope only exists in the future. Hope takes courage and imagination. If we are willing to let
go and trust God, the possibilities are endless. But as long as we stay stuck, holding only to the
kernel of facts that we can grasp with our hands, we have no need for hope. Like that little boy,
holding on to that one kernel is – uncomfortable. It robs us of the bounty that God has waiting for us
on our laps – to receive it, we must let go. We must choose hope! Amen.

Dr. Ron Bell