Turning Hope into Action

By The Rev. Dr. Rick Young, TPF President

2026 began with a bang deep in the heart of Texas! We started the year with temperatures in the 80s, and presently we’re looking at temperatures in the single digits. I was raised with the saying, “If you don’t like the weather in Texas, just wait an hour.” It may have been more than an hour, but it eventually took a drastic downturn.

It may not just be the weather that alternates quickly. As we look around us, it seems that everything isn’t what it used to be. We are bombarded with information at a rate that is impossible to assimilate and comprehend. News that used to take days or weeks to receive is now almost instantaneous and appears on our television and/or computer screens. We are discovering that much of what is being reported is seen through a biased lens, so now more than ever, we have to carefully consider everything we see and hear. This makes finding the truth much harder.

The world is a complicated place and has been throughout history. Though we might think that this is the worst of times, we are not the first to feel this way. A magic wand is not going to fix it, but WE can, one day, one person, one word, one good deed at a time. I know it can feel like rose-colored-glasses thinking, but we rely on a God who is mighty and powerful and genuinely loves us all. And I am by no means suggesting that we sit on our hands and wait for God or lock ourselves in closets and pray. Prayer matters, but so does participation. We can also take action by making changes, speaking up, and showing up for others.

In a world that can feel louder, colder, and more divided by the day, generosity becomes an act of courage. It is a way of declaring, “I still believe in my neighbor.” Generosity doesn’t always look like a grand gesture. Often it’s small and steady: a kind word offered when sarcasm would be easier, an encouraging note, a meal delivered, time given, a listening ear, a gift quietly made to support ministry and mission. Those choices matter more than we realize, and they ripple farther than we can measure.

As the world continues to change, I can promise you that Texas Presbyterian Foundation is not sitting on our hands. We continue to evolve to better serve our partners. One thing I can promise is that our personal care and relationships with our partners will not change. We are better together.

And as we step into 2026, whatever weather it brings, my encouragement is simple: keep doing good. Keep giving what you can, where you can, in ways that are sustainable and faithful. Your generosity helps turn hope into action.

If you are interested in exploring additional resources, CLICK HERE to access TPF’s Legacy Builder website.

Thanks for all you do to make this world a better place.