Gordon Schleicher reflects on the story of Annie depicted on stage and screen, comparing her story’s message of hope with the biblical message of hope we understand as believers.
J. GORDON SCHLEICHER
Retired Pastor, Michigan Conference
Annie’s journey from a dreary orphanage to a life of love and belonging continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. That fiery girl is an American tale of hope winning out in the end. It is a tale of hope and resilience overcoming life’s many adversities.
The story has captured my heart and reminds me of what hope is all about. I’ve watched the film version many times and seen the stage version at the Fisher Theatre in Detroit, and this summer at the Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada.
In the story, we are introduced to Annie as a plucky and determined young girl living in the grim Municipal Girls’ Orphanage under the tyrannical rule of the cruel and boozy Miss Hannigan. Despite Annie’s harsh surroundings, she clings to the hope that her parents, who left her on the orphanage’s doorstep, will one day return for her. Her unwavering belief is encapsulated in her iconic song, “Tomorrow,” a powerful anthem of optimism in the face of adversity.
I encourage you to find a version of this song on your favorite music streaming platform and listen to the words and feel the enthusiasm.
Despite the hard labor and constant ridicule Annie and the other orphans receive at the orphanage, she sings of keeping that hope alive despite everything going wrong. The core message is that “the sun’ll come out tomorrow.” This is presented as an undeniable truth that will bring an end to darkness and sorrow, resulting in a positive outcome.
Hope clears away sorrow: “Just thinkin’ about tomorrow / Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow / ’Til there’s none!” This highlights hope’s transformative power, suggesting that the very act of anticipating better days can alleviate present pain and despair.
Hope requires perseverance: The lyrics advise, “So ya gotta hang on / ’Til tomorrow / Come what may!” This emphasizes that while hope is a given, one must actively hold on to it and endure through tough times. It’s not passive, but a call to resilience.
Hope requires daily renewal: Annie sings words that demonstrate she trusts and believes the sun will be back tomorrow. Each new day brings a fresh opportunity for things to improve. Hope isn’t a one-time event, but a continuous possibility.
Hope requires a positive attitude: Annie’s personal motto demonstrates that hope is a conscious decision. When she’s stuck with a day that’s gray and lonely, she sticks out her chin and grins. It’s about maintaining a positive outlook and an indomitable spirit, even on the darkest of days.
The song “Tomorrow” tells us that hope is not just a feeling but a fundamental belief in the inevitability of better days, a tool for overcoming present difficulties, and a reason to keep pushing forward.
Annie teaches us that even in the darkest of times, the sun will, indeed, come out tomorrow.
Compare this with biblical hope in the Scriptures. Hebrews 11:1 proclaims that faith is the reality of what we hope for. Here, hope is an active, confident expectation and a firm assurance in the faithfulness and promises of God, especially in times of trial and uncertainty.
A cornerstone of hope is found in God’s covenant promises in the Hebrew Bible. A powerful expression of this is in Jeremiah 29:11: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” (NRSVUE).
Scripture teaches that hope has a transformative effect on the believer’s present life. Romans 5:3-5 explains a progression: “[We] also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
Biblical hope is a hope that sustains, purifies, and empowers believers to live with purpose and joy, regardless of their circumstances.
I know the sun will come out tomorrow and that God’s Son is here with me now — today, tomorrow, and forever.
Last Updated on September 15, 2025