Day 91 - A gift

There are quiet moments when I realize what a gift life is. How much I take it for granted. How lucky I am. That God gave me three beautiful children to keep in my care. And that life is really so very fragile.

Love your life. Take care of it. Appreciate it. Even if it's not giving you all of the things you want, you are breathing, and that should be more than enough. It's a gift.


 

Day 90 - In the way

Lately I have been reminded that the only person usually standing in your way is you. It's your feelings, your fears, your thoughts, your hesitations, and your habits. Other people don't usually stand in your way, it's how you feel or think about them as obstacles. Things don't stand in your way; it's your reluctance to find ways around them. Your life is in your hands and somehow you need to move out of the way. And when I say you, I mean we. Because I am standing in my own way in so many areas right now and I am not afraid to admit it.

What is it that is making you so unhappy? Your body, your job, your friendships, your fear of failure, drama in your life, or just a haze of unhappiness? Maybe you can't fix everything right away but you can start, it's never too late. Baby steps. No excuses. Find your path to wherever you may need to go. Take leaps of faith, or allow there to be trade offs. Somehow jump out of your own way. Give yourself a chance. Don't give up. And most importantly, pray about it. Take it to God. Believe that God can create miracles in your life if you draw close to Him.

Lord, I feel like as soon as I take ten steps forward, I somehow manage to get in my own way and I end up ten steps back. I am praying that you can give me the faith and the determination to get to where I need to be. Lord, I have failed and I just want the strength to start again. To make it right this time. To be the person I know that I can be. Lord, please help me with this part of my life. And Lord, I know that there are changes that we can make for a better life for our family as a whole. I just pray that you can help us be brave enough to make them.


 

Day 89 - Amazingly grateful

Today I am especially thankful for the friendships that God has bestowed on me. For the conversations that are about life, about change, and about the heart. Nothing surface level, nothing fake, just real and honest reflections. From grey hairs, to struggles, and everything in between. I have so much strength and security because of the friendships and the strong women next to me. I honestly and humbly feel like the luckiest person in the world for the wonderful people, from top to bottom, in my life.

God, today I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the people you have placed in my life. I feel undeserving, but so amazingly grateful. I promise in return, to treat them with care and concern, and to let them know how much I love and appreciate them.


 

Day 88 - In the quiet

God has humbled me this year in a new way. Last year was filled with grit and depth, and My Year of Faith reached so many people. I was constantly praised. Sometimes that happens in the storm. We are on fire. And now that life has slowed down, this year has turned into a calmer type of faith, learning to have hope and how to hang on. My words are more gentle, less gripping, and the power of the storm has faded. I am not holding on to people the same and my life is not moving the same. That was hard at first.

But this year God has taught me that sometimes in life, it's not about the multitudes, it's about the one or two people that you can change. It's about you. It's about the possibility that just one word out of hundreds of thousands can make a difference. It's about the entire journey from beginning of your life until the end. It's about His plan for me and sometimes the times we least expect are the most powerful. It's about how life travels us on paths, and curves, through violent storms, and times of calm. Sometimes we need quietness to hear our own voice and to learn where we are. To hear God more clearly. I remember how hard it was after our wedding. We had been through this crazy and fun time of planning and celebrating, and then after our honeymoon that center of attention and all of the specialness of planning was gone. And we were left with this new life ahead of us. It was quiet and at first I was depressed, but looking back it wasn't the wedding where we grew together the most, it was everything after.

That is where I am at right now. God has me in a quiet place, still with storms of its own, yet more gentle in nature. And perhaps this is where all the growth, depth, and understanding will come from. Maybe this place in my life will be my everything after.

 

Day 87 - My story

I just read through all 150 Psalms, and I found my own story in them.

Psalm 55:17
Evening, morning and noon 
I cry out in distress 
and He hears my voice. 


Psalm 13:2-6 
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart? 


Psalm 34:18
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.


Psalm 40:2-3
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn to praise our God. 


Psalm 66:2
We went through fire and water,
but you brought us to a place of abundance.


Psalm 91:4-5
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day.


Psalm 52:8
But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love
for ever and ever.

 

Day 86 - Trust. Listen. Hope. Have faith.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive ways in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

-Psalm 139:23-24

What do you do when you know God is speaking to you, but you don't want to listen? Over the last week or so, God was putting some flags in my path. Little signs that I need to be prepared for some changes and when they arise I need to do the right thing. And just as I figured, situations are stirring a bit. I am having a hard time with it. I don't want to see His flags, I don't want to read those words. I pretend they were not being repeated in front of me. I want to make excuses for why I should ignore them. I want to stay in my confusion of what the right thing is, because I honestly don't know, and the confusion seems safe. 

But here, I should be thankful for his warnings. I should be thankful that God has continually given my heart time to adjust to His changes. That He prepares me for what is coming, even if I don't see it. That if I am feeling anxious I can talk to Him. I can ask Him where my steps should lead instead of letting my anxiety eat me away. I can give it to Him and trust that His path is safe for me, even when I feel scared and vulnerable.

Trust. Listen. Hope. Have faith.

 

Day 85 - My girl

Today my sweet girl turned four years old. She can be a handful, but I constantly remind myself that she is still a baby and it's my job to raise her the best that I know how. To teach her and to mold her so that she can withstand the heartaches and trials of life. And while I get frustrated at times with her shrill screams and her defiance, I looked at her today and saw all of the life and joy she has inside of her. She is such a happy girl who just wants to be loved... a lot. And that's my job, right? God made her exactly the way He wanted, and my job as her mommy is to help her grow into the woman He created her to be. I am so thankful.

This last year my children have grown so much in their faith. They pray and talk about God. They tell me the stories they learn, in almost perfect dictation. They love church. And today, on her birthday, I caught my sweet girl singing a song from Sunday School. It was like heaven. My heart melts with hope that my children will grow up with a faith that can sustain them, and hearts that God can fill with so much joy and love.

Happy Birthday sweet girl.

 

Day 84 - Psalm

"I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 
 Then I called on the name of the LORD: 
 “O LORD, save me!” 


 The LORD is gracious and righteous; 
 our God is full of compassion. 
 The LORD protects the simplehearted; 
 when I was in great need, he saved me." 
-Psalm 116:3-6 (NIV1984)

 

Day 83 - Instead

"Instead of filling with expectations, the joy-filled expect nothing - and are filled."

 -Ann Voskamp

 

Day 82 - On a Journey

I found a piece of paper tucked behind some old things with this written on it. 

On A Journey

1. The path to a miracle is always through uncomfortable territory.

2. The source of a miracle is always unexpected.

3. The pattern for a miracle is always command, promise, risk.

I needed to be reminded that miracles can happen. I just don't do well with uncomfortable, or vulnerable. Do you? In the midst of anxiousness we must have hope and faith that being uncomfortable is part of the journey and then we must keep moving forward, trusting and allowing God to do His work in us.

 

Day 81 - Don't try

I feel like Mark and my lives are still in a washing machine right now, and the loss of control can be so overwhelming. God has not given us a break from last year, He just continues to challenge us in new ways and He is forcing us to grow. He has been working hard in our lives, not just financially, but emotionally and relationally.  But knowing that no matter how hard we try to fix or change what is going on, God is the one in control, is actually an amazingly wonderful thing. Because so much has been getting better and we have so much to be happy and grateful for and I can focus on that and on my sweet babies, and I can dream about our future instead.

"No matter what is going on in your life right now, know that God loves you and he is in control, so you don't have to try to manage everything." -Sheila Walsh

 

Day 80 - No competition

Today we had an amazing speaker at MOPS and her presentation was about how to get through a crisis and lean on God. It was weird to hear it because that is the story I have been trying to tell for the last 445 days. The story that my heart desires to tell in the future. The story that I hope I portrayed at the MOPS I spoke at last year. My future. And here was a woman, much more mature in her future, telling her story. The story I haven't figured out how to tell just yet. And she has a book under her wings, my dream. She was funny, adorable, and she just had everyone under her presence. Every woman in there was fixated on her. To be honest, it made me feel awful. I think I even tried to not like her, but that didn't last long because her story is so real. It made me feel like someone was already telling the story I have to share, with the people I want to share with, and I could never compete with how well she does it. Doubt.

 Do you know what God did? While I was sitting there, feeling like my future was impossible, He reminded me that we all have our own gifts and that He will give me everything that I need to tell the story He wants me to tell. That while I was looking at someone who I think I could never "compete" against in a sense, that there is no competition in finding your purpose. That wherever God leaves me, is where I should be. And let's be honest, I still have no idea where He is sending me... my path constantly changes. He puts so many twists and turns in my life; I know my purpose still has not been revealed. God is still working. Today, I saw that He is showing me that I need to believe in the way He created me to live out my life and my dreams. That there is no competition fulfilling His glory.

 

Day 79 - Be kind

Today just be kind to everyone you encounter. In your home, on the streets, during your errands, within your emails, on Facebook, and anywhere your life touches.

Kindness unlocks hope in others and it honors God's word.

There is a tremendous power in kind and gentle words. The simplest word of encouragement or support can brighten somebody's day. 

 

Day 78 - Share

We all have our own stories. Stories of pain, hurt, and hardship. We carry them with us wherever we go. Our individual stories have helped shape and mold us into who we are today. With our stories come knowledge and understanding, and often we become experts in areas that we wish we never would have explored. But nonetheless, they are a part of us.

Are you holding on to your stories?

Whatever story you have, you need to use it to benefit someone else in a similar circumstance. It should not sit in your heart, full of shame or mistrust, but it should be on your sleeve, ready to help. You have the ability to not only empower and comfort someone else, but by being honest and by sharing your wisdom, you can make the path to be trudged on so much easier.

Share your story.

 

Day 77 - Reflecting

I'm not going to lie, having a third child is very hectic. I was unprepared for the initial craziness. Now that the baby is two years old, the hardest part is just taking everyone everywhere and trying to keep the kids all under control. Some days are awesome and some days are exhausting. But I love it. I love every piece of it.

Something I have noticed with the third child is that I don't panic or take everything as seriously as I did with the first two. When my little guy throws a tantrum, I almost laugh it off. It doesn't stress me out and I feel like it's so much easier to weather the storms because I have had a lot of practice. I have been through it before and I know what works and what doesn't. Or at the very least I have a lot of good tricks that I have figured out from the first two. I feel like I get to enjoy him more because I am very settled and confident in my parenting of little ones. I like that feeling.

Tonight I was reflecting on some of the ups and downs we have been experiencing this year and I realized that although some of the trials we are facing are much more extreme than in the past, I have been here before with my faith. I have fought similar storms. And now, my faith has matured and I can handle the big stresses with a little more peace and a lot more heart. I certainly don't enjoy them, but I can relate them to past problems and feel confident in the way that I am responding. Less anger, less irrational behavior, and less fear. I can talk to God, pray about it appropriately, and let Him help me work through it. I can trust my instincts and try to do what I believe is best.

I have hope and I trust that God can use the new trials somehow in my life. That He can take the bad and somehow make something else good. I also have a steadfast assurance that I have never had before. Leaning on God in hard times is a relationship that becomes much easier with practice and time, and just like parenting three little ones, I love feeling settled and more confident in that relationship and in myself.

Trust God with the trials in your life.


 

Day 76 - Psalms

Did I mention I am reading through Psalms?

"May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight." 
-Psalm 19:14 (NIV)


It's a good place to start.



 

Day 75 - This is me

Yesterday while hearing my hubby tell me a story, I realized something. My old life of being a working mom in a successful job is long gone. It's not like it was just yesterday, I now have friends and people in my life that have no idea that part of me ever existed. It's crazy thing to realize. They don't know that woman, and they never will. This is the woman that I am right now, and everything that was important to me before is in the past. I am a stay-at-home mom, who has a little business of her own, and who blogs about faith, life, family, lovely things and more. Everything that I am right now is from God and none of it was part of my plan. God has changed my life, my desires, and my heart in drastic ways. And this is what He had planned. It still shocks me, but I am living out this plan with peace and joy, grateful for all that He gives me. And while I still feel confused about where I will go in His plan, (I like to have specific directions), I have faith that it will be good and full of grace because God is certainly leading me (and sometimes pushing me) into my future. Yesterday was the first time that I realized that the past is not who I am anymore. I am this woman that God molded me into.

I found these words in the book, Choosing to See, by Mary Beth Chapman. I almost feel them as my own.

" All along the way, He has changed my story in ways I didn't like. I've had whole chapters added and deleted and strange plot twists that I never saw coming."


"I've held on to certain expectations about life. But Jesus has always loved me enough to show me that even when I push my own ideas and expectations, He is there to guide me back to green pastures, He has shepherded me through the mountainous terrain of my stubbornness, shame, depression, and inadequacy and brought me gently back to the lushness of His love."


"But God made me the way He did and gave me the story we're living... I believe it is all about showing off His glory."


"It's a journey. I recognize the dark tides that can push and pull me to places I don't want to go. So I anchor myself to the One who can take me where I do want to go."


I live with hope in God's plan for me, and I try not to look back at what was, but look forward at what can be. And while mine may be a more extreme case, maybe God has put an obstacle or a heartache in your life to forever change who you are too.




 

Day 74 - Remember

I drove by a cemetery yesterday and my eye caught a group in mourning, all dressed in black, burying their loved one. Sometime I forget that while I am living my life doing normal things, someone else is in despair and possibly having the worst day of their life. I forget that as I am typing these words, someone is dealing with the shock that their child has a serious illness, or they have lost the baby they were carrying, or they are considering ending their own life. I often get so caught up that I don't notice the woman passing me in Target, with tears in her eyes because her husband just left her, or the subtle status update on Facebook hinting to the loss of a job or heart break.

Life is going on all around us and we cannot forget it. We cannot lose our compassion in the hustle of our days. And for the people in our life whom we know are going through something, we need to email, text, and send reminders of our love. No matter how busy. We were created to be compassionate and loving and sometimes our actions can help give someone else a glimmer of hope in their despair.

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." -Colossians 3:12 (TNIV)




 

Day 73 - Question

I found this question in my study Bible and I think it's a basic human question that everyone asks and wonders. Why do we pray and does it make a difference?


Can prayer cause God to change one's circumstances?
Prayer nurtures our relationship with God. God always responds to our cries, whispers and expressions of prayer. He promises to guard our lives and change our circumstances as he deems necessary and appropriate. But as in any good relationship, we must not use God's resources merely for our own ends. We must trust him to act in our best interests.


Prayer is such an important part of hope. When we pray we believe that God hears us and that He can make decisions based on what we cry out to Him, for ourselves, or for other people. That is hope. That is faith. And we know that whether or not He answers our prayers the way that we want, He is still working in our lives at all times.


 

Day 72 - Empty hands

I think it's really hard to stay content in the moment. To learn to feel joyful exactly where you are; wherever that may be. I feel like my list of things we need is really long and we are continuously adding all of the things we deem as very important or necessary. But as you write that kind of list you start to feel down because you realize all of the things you don't have. Especially if this was never a problem before, which is our case. You feel your joy fading amidst a little bit of depression and frustration. "We are patient, we have faith, we trust You, but we are feeling a little weary God. Is this over yet?" Or perhaps for some of you it's not money or things, it's that you are feeling emotionally, physically, or relationally depleted. And your own list of how to get things to the way they should be is long and frustrating, and you want to ask God if it's over yet too.

But I want to remind you of something I read that stayed with me. That we have to learn to be grateful and happy, whether our hands are empty or full. That kind of gratefulness is the key to joy. That no matter who, what, when, where, or why....we are grateful regardless. And by feeling grateful no matter how long the list is, or how few the relationships are, or how exhausted the body is, or how depleted your emotions are - you are happy, joyful, hopeful, and at peace. That is where contentment comes from. Being grateful for what is not on the list.

It's no secret that I want to add to our family. My motherly heart and internal clock long for a baby right now. I swear if I could get pregnant I would be, despite not having enough room in our little home, or enough money to send him or her off to college someday. It's a fire that I have and I think about it all of the time. But I cannot get pregnant, it's not possible, and we certainly cannot afford to adopt (and let's face it, Mark is not totally sold on the idea of another little one). And at times, I feel like my hands are empty of that desire because it's impossible. But the pull on my heart is still there regardless. And that's exactly what I am trying to say, that we need to be grateful whether our hands are full or empty. A baby is on that maybe-in-the-future-list, but what is not on that list are my three beautiful children and our happy little home together. We all have so many lovely things that are not on the list. So many things to feel grateful for despite all of the longings that we have. And believe me, I am eternally grateful for what is not on my list, because I know how fast things can change.

My longing for a home of my own, financial wealth, or another child are no match to what some of you are experiencing right now. For what you are longing for, for what makes your hands feel empty, for what puts discontentment in your heart and tears in your soul. I know this. I can feel it when I write my blog posts. Just start small. Find one thing you are most grateful for, and build up from there. And if it's too much to bear, talk to God and put your hope in Him.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." -Romans 15:13 (TNIV)



 

Day 71 - When you feel stuck

I know I have said this before, but I don't feel like there has been a lot of progress in my life since this journey started almost a year and a half ago. A lot has changed and our journey has had highs and lows, but in general my life feels pretty stuck where it is. It's gradually getting better and we have come a long way, but it's like taking baby steps every single day. And, often it feels like a big, bright future could be years and years away. The house, the financial freedom, the completeness of what we have gone through feels like it may never happen (although I have faith and hope that it will).

It's easy to feel stuck.

And then, I heard myself talk today. I was having a conversation and someone asked me a question about what I will do about something specific in the future, and my words just start flowing. As I was saying them I could see my journey in front of me and how far I have come. I got a glimpse of small bits of wisdom that God has graciously imparted on me and I saw that I may not have come far monetarily, but emotionally and spiritually I have grown. I have jumped over those baby steps and bounded forward in understanding how to look at life differently because of all of the hurts and hardships I have endured.

When you feel stuck, when you feel depleted, when you feel like your life just won't budge, remember that God can change your life if you give it over to Him. He will bless you with prosperity and growth, it may not be the way that you want or expect, but it will be the way that lasts forever. He will change your heart and your vision for the rest of your life. That is more valuable than money, and more permanent than possessions. And while God is just starting on me, I see that He holds value in who I am and that is more important and more loving than anything I could physically want right now.

"Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: 
 If you find it, there is a future hope for you, 
 and your hope will not be cut off." 
-Proverbs 24:14 (TNIV)

 

Day 70 - Hope

"Hope waits but does not sit. It strains with eager anticipation to see what may be coming on the horizon. Hope does not pacify; it does not make us docile and mediocre. Instead, it draws us to greater risk and perseverance." -Dan Allender




 

Day 69 - Even

"Even the saddest things can become, once we have made peace with them, a source of wisdom and strength for the journey that still lies ahead." - Frederick Buechner




 

Day 68 - Thankful

There are days where you know that God hears your cries, your prayers, and He answers in His own way. Today was one of those days, and He answered a specific prayer and with a little extra. Nothing miraculous, nothing life changing, but an answer. Proof that He loves me and that He listens. And I know that it's not a coincidence that it happened after a really rough day. Yesterday was awful. I'm so thankful for a God that provides, for a God who hears my prayers, and for a God who teaches me what it means to struggle. If I didn't know what it felt like to struggle, I wouldn't know all of the blessings that are often overlooked each day.

 

Day 67 - What ifs

Sometimes we have events and heartaches in our lives that are terribly complicated and painful. It's so easy to say "what if" or "only if." Our hearts may yearn to turn back the hands of time, when things were easier or more normal. And yet, that isn't the path, this is. This painful and difficult path is the one you are supposed to be on. Turning back those hands of time, while they may shield you from pain, will not fix anything. The problem, the catalyst, the reward, the wisdom, the journey will not go away or ever get better without stepping forward. This is how it's supposed to be and through it you are supposed to hang on with all of your might and all of your hope, trusting in God's plan. Instead of living in the guilt, depression, sadness, or the what ifs, immerse yourself in hope and in faith. See the light, look straight ahead, pray, walk past the hurt, and know that this is the right path for right now.

I'm sorry you are hurting.


 

Day 66 - In someone else's book

Every now and then we come across something we read in a book, see on a blog, hear about from a friend, etc., and we feel like we recognize our own life in someone else's story. We are touched to the depth of our soul by this connection of our pain to theirs. We feel relief, we feel joy, and we feel assurance in our own hearts. We see ourselves, we see our journey, and we see our life a little differently. And that brings us hope. Other people's stories bring us hope. Other people's faith brings us hope. Other people's determination and bravery brings us hope. Knowing that we are not alone in our sorrow, uncertainties, and heartaches gives us hope and light. A lot of light.

I just read part of my life story in someone else's book. I don't think that has ever happened to me before. But it was there and we share multiple heartaches and journeys. Can I tell you how much hope it gave me to see someone else's faith in the open to inspire my journey too? Her gut-wrenching admissions changed me. It lightened my load.

It's not easy to share, to be vulnerable, but it comes with an amazing gift. The gift of touching someone else's life. The gift of giving hope. The gift of giving life.

If am always open to sharing stories of hope and faith on this blog. Just email me.

For the rest of you- read, explore, and be open to allowing other people's lives help you on your journey.


 

Day 65 - What attitude?

At church yesterday this question was asked, "What attitude is holding you back from being used by God?" I sat for a while and really thought about it. What part of me is holding myself back from being more available to others? From being approachable, trustworthy, empathetic, and also a light for God? I jotted down that I talk too much, I don't listen enough, I need to hold my tongue more, and I need to be more humble. Sometimes I think I try to gulp up the whole room because I love to share, talk, and give my ideas and opinions.  I also love to tell stories and use my sarcasm for laughs. How can God use me if I am so busy doing everything but listening? If I am not humble enough? If I miss the signs that He is giving me to lead others? I simply can't. And yet, by really critiquing myself and taking the time to see what I lack also gives me so much hope that I can change, grow, and start to be a light. That I can be aware of my tongue, of my joy in story-telling, and of my need to be humble, and I can move forward and change in ways that will prepare me to make a difference.

And so I ask you now, what attitude is holding you back from being used by God?



 

Day 64 - Overwriting her plans

I just started reading Mary Beth Chapman's book called Choosing to See. Her husband Steven Curtis Chapman wrote the forward and this particular part really resonated with me.

She has a lifetime of watching God overwrite her plans with His story. Sometimes the result has been wonderful, and sometimes it has been devastating. Sometimes she's been a willing participant, and sometimes she's gone "kicking and screaming." But in every case the process has been difficult at best.


I know that my struggles are minor compared to what she has endured, especially with the loss of her child. I also know that she has years and years of faith on me. She is a woman of faith, I still feel like a student. But I also know that God keeps overwriting my plans for His story. All of the time, over and over again, and that has become part of my story. That so much of my life right now is the opposite of how I not only wanted it to be, but worked for it to be. I have degrees not being used, plans not being met, ideals that were taken away. And knowing that there is this mature woman of faith that has grown and fought and then told her story, well I have hope that someday I will have my own lifetime of God's plans for me to write about.

Right now, I look around and my mind cannot begin to fathom how we are going to get out of this place we are in. But, my heart has hope and trusts that someday His plans will be far better than mine.

 
 

Day 63 - In his words

"I dealt with the uncertainty the way that I've always tried to: I don't know what the future holds, but I know who holds my future. That's what gives me hope and peace and is what I lean on, because each day is going to have enough trouble of its own... And God will use every one of those things- some of which may seem good and some bad to you at the time-in His overall plan for your life and mine." 
-Through My Eyes by Tim Tebow


 

Day 62 - Hope, trust, wait

Sometimes situations in our lives seem hopeless, impossible, and forever changed. But, through out A Year Full of Hope I am reminded that God can do anything. He can change hearts, He can build bridges, and that nothing is impossible for Him.... we just have to wait on God. We have to give it to Him. We have to trust and hope. I love how Isaiah 40:31 changes with different versions.

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength." -Isaiah 40:31 (TNIV)


"But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength." -Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)


"But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength." Isaiah 40:31 (NLV)


Ultimately we have to do all three. We have to hope, trust, and wait on God. In all areas of our lives. In all conflicts, disappointments, frustrations, and with our fears. But notice that when we do this, we get stronger. God uses the painful and difficult situations in our lives to build us up.

Here is the rest of the verse telling us what happens when we wait, hope, and trust in God and in return gain strength:

"They will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not become weak."


I want to be strong like that. Don't you?



 

Day 61 - Reminders

Today I was reminded to:

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus."
-1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

“You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things." 
-Matthew 25:21 (NIV) 


For me, hope lies in these verses right now.

Be thankful in ALL circumstances because God is telling us that our circumstances are His will. Be grateful. Give thanks. Love what is in front of you. And, realize that if you are faithful in the small things that God puts before you, He will give you much more. He will give you what dreams are made of. Show Him that you can live in the moment and be joyful in not only what you have been given, but in what you are doing. God will reward your patience and your commitment.

We all need to be reminded of this, especially when times are tough or we feel like God is only giving us mundane tasks. Fight through it, do every task with love and glory to Him, know that you are where you are supposed to be.