Finding Hope

Have you ever had built up expectations, in hopes something MIGHT happen before you get too old to enjoy it? Kids have no problem imagining their dreams becoming reality. They hold onto hope because they can see themselves in the place of their deep desire. 

As we age, reality teaches us that not all dreams become something we can touch. Tangible dreams are a bit harder to grab onto. Yet, they CAN become tangible. How? Glad you asked. 

Many years ago, someone told me to think bigger than what my mind was telling me was possible. At that time, I wasn't really sure what that looked like, simply because I had trust issues. I doubted anything I wanted would become anything I could actually experience. It's just what my life was, I told myself. I was so short-sighted back then. 

It takes believing in a God of miracles. A God that placed everything we have need of, inside us, from the first beat of our heart while still being woven inside our mother's womb. Yes, I do believe that. He is a creative God, that made us in His image. That must mean we have the creative gene in us, right? Plus,He came to show us HOW to live an overcoming life. A life of value, of peace, of hope & love (when love isn't warranted). A life of creating something out of nothing. Troubles there will be. Troubles build faith. Faith creates patience. And patience gives way to having a lack of nothing. ~James 1:2-4 (paraphrased)

So...why do I have a picture of our grand girl heading up this post? Firstly, I know it will get your attention. She's just too cute, not to. Am I right? 😉 Secondly, this picture was taken at Walt Disney World last week. She had been wanting to go there, for the last couple of years, but it took a bit of patience working out the issues surrounding that trip. But she held onto hope. And hope is the reason for this blog post.

Hope produced its good work, eventually. She and her momma had so much fun while there and came home pretty tired. They were filled up with expectations met, which in turn was energy draining. But, recharging is never an issue for these two. And it wasn't any different this time, as I picked them up at the airport. They did not disappoint. I got to listen to their journey unfold, as I maneuvered air port traffic and interstate crazies. I think maybe I drove just a bit more strategically, just from feeling their energy. They may have looked a bit frazzled, but one couldn't tell from listening to their story unfold. How many times have I been so very grateful Dennis and I moved to be closer to our girls and their girls? More than anyone could count, most likely. It's been 10 years now, since our move. Not one day have we regretted picking up the homestead of 39 years, and transferring it to North Carolina, to live out the rest of our time on earth, next to where our heart is. Home truly is where the heart is, and our heart(s) were/are in NC. Just down the proverbial road from us, instead of 1200 miles away.

Faith doesn't come easily, however. It has to work through things. Like tired legs (doing the work...spirit), impatience (wanting it now...mind), troubles along the way (unexpected delays...body). Just like this picture of our girl waiting...resting her legs, her mind, her body. But still watching for the treasure to show itself. In this case, the transport bus that would carry her and her momma back to the resort. Trusting it would come. I'm telling you, children are rich with examples of faith being built, if we but watch. And listen. Wish I had a dollar for every time a little person has spoken life to me. 

As I mentioned before, living life can, and does on occasion, take the wind out of our sails. Only because we forget to hold onto hope of a better day. We become tunnel visioned at times, where all we see is the dirt around our feet, forgetting to look up at the expanse of the Universe and all its wonders. We forget to see the tapestry of God and how it actually works. Speaking of tapestry, have you ever turned one over to view the back side? That's where all the magic happens. The threads are woven over each other, sometimes looking quite tangled, knotted, and just plain confused, yet produces something of great beauty as they weave themselves together with the other threads. Think about it...

Soaking in all the goodness of our God, here you will find me...in Mary's World

 

Things I Can Depend On

Every morning, right about 7:43, the sun peeks through my study window on its way upward. At least during this time of the year. I reach up to shutter the window so I can see without shielding my eyes. The sun is dependable. 

There are many things we take for granted as being dependable. Like, I will go to work tomorrow at precisely (fill in the blank). I will see my family this coming (fill in the blank). I will go to the grocery store tomorrow after lunch. I will go to the mountains next month when the leaves are beginning to show their beauty. Next summer, I will make plans to go with my family to the beach. So much of our lives, and what it will look like, we take for granted. We form habits and become "dependable". That's a good thing. Right? Sure it is. But my point is the things we take for granted, aren't necessarily dependable. Why do I say that? Because none of us knows what tomorrow holds for us. Actually, we don't REALLY know what the next hour holds for us. Sounds kinda gloomy, doesn't it? It's not intended to...

James 4:13-16 says:

“Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil” (NLT).

Even though this life is uncertain, and even though one might think once this life is done, it's done, there is a life that is eternal. Yours and mine. We were created to be eternal beings. Natural death entered because of not heeding the warning of God. Not because he was/is a demanding being. But because He wanted us to have a choice, not demanding we love him as he loved us. But because we choose to. And because of that, there needed to be a choice of right and wrong, of life and death, of fullness and emptiness. Choices. Thus, the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil was placed in the Garden of Eden, where Gods council (the Elohim) met. We were not to eat from that tree lest we live eternally in our choice. We get to choose our life's path. Which is an awesome gift in itself! Yes?

It's sad so many of us blame God for the evil in this world. When in fact it only comes from a persons choices. No one is excluded. Life continues after this earthly death, and since this life is so uncertain, doesn't it make sense to begin storing up for the next life? The life we step into after this earthly life, will depend on what we did with this one. Today, it appears I will be heading to work soon, a platform God has given to provide and to serve. 

Things I can depend on? The sun coming up, an eventual "death" (I do think I'll be around for a bit, though 😁), my family's love for me, and God's love for me. For the world He created. And those in it. 

As always (if God so chooses), here you will find me...in Mary's (loaned by God) World. That I (mostly) take for granted.

Gonna open the shutters now that the sun has moved on up. 😉😁