Need Hope?

Hope. We all want it. We all use this word more than we realize. 

"Hope you have a great day."

"Hope you feel better soon." 

"Hope it works out for you."

But what is hope? The dictionary would state that it is "the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best". Does anyone else read this and feel like it falls flat? That's it? Maybe a little sprinkling of fairy dust and "something" just might happen? Don't you want more to rely on? Isn't the world in need of something bigger than a mere inkling or feeling? Can we rely or put our trust in to a best case scenario that may or may not actually happen? 

Naw. I am not inspired.

Hope is more than a simple sentiment. Hope is the certainty of something unimaginable, something we could not dream up on our own. Hope is the gift of nourishment and sustenance gently given in the exact portion needed to quench hunger. Hope is life giving water springing forth out of a ROCK satisfying an endless thirst. Hope is clearing barriers out of the way to create possibilities that are not humanly attainable. 

Hope is the power of God at work in our lives. It is more than a fleeting emotion but a promise by the creator of the universe. Hope is the Lord Jesus Christ. 

I hope you find Hope today. 

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.” Romans 15:13

Image source: https://jewelcitychurch.org/2015/04/01/hope-floats/

Adoption: Will I choose love?

The brown eyes are larger than life. They have a depth beyond the boy’s  young age because of the poverty he endures, daily. He is hungry and forgotten by most of the world. There is a glimmer of optimism in his smile though. How could I not love him? I see that smile every day I walk in to work (Feed My Starving Children). I see the promise of hope. I know we are making a difference around the world.

But the kids that I see on the banner, magazines and pamphlets are easy to love. They do not sass me or question my authority. They do not complain when it’s bed time. They do not steal from me or lie. They are perfect and lovely, permanently adorned on the wall. However, it is the reality of an actual orphan brought in to our home (not a million miles away) that is not always fashionable and simple. Adoption is complicated.  Adoption is unpredictable. The daily life forces a test of all that I say I am. Will I sacrifice? Will I swallow my pride? Will I muster the grace? Will I choose love over everything else?

Love is effortless when it does not require much; however, the impact is shallow and short lived. Jesus set a better example. He humbled Himself, gave what no one else could give and did it without holding back.  The results are eternal. That divine love has changed me, changed who I strive to be. I am grateful. I am inspired. It is the only source of power that allows me to say, “Today, I will choose to love.”

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the unending love you extent to us. I want to learn to love like You love. Teach me and give me the strength to follow Your example. It is only by Your power that I can.  Amen.

Image source: http://fmscblog.com/from-the-field/pierre/

Forever Marked

I remember wanting to write it down. Reaching, digging through the desk, scraping around for a pencil. Not finding one, I reluctantly settled my hands upon a pen. I paused. With closer examination I frantically threw it back in the wasteland of writing utensils in the drawer. No, that just won’t do. I needed to write it down with permanent ink. I didn't want to forget; I wanted it forever marked somewhere to remind me of what I had seen, done, experienced. I didn't want to have this day go by and not remember.

Today is April 11th and they are seven years old now. There were three heartbeats, three precious children formed and brought to life. I was a surrogate and an eye witness to something indescribable. I no longer think I need a permanent marker. No one ever forgets a miracle!

Happy Birthday to the triplets!

My Prayer: Lord, today is an anniversary of just one of so many “impossible” things you have done. With every breathe I have been given I will praise You, Lord. My heart beats with continuous gratitude and awe! 

Image source taken from Google Images://loriromano.com/2012/01/07/excavation-2012-day-7-confessions-of-a-pen-whore/

One in a Million

I over heard two children talking:

Child 1: “Hey, look. The stars are out!”

Child 2: “Oh, yeah. I see that one.”

Child 1: certain he is the wiser of the two responds, “There are thousands of them, not just one.”

Child 2: pointing her finger to the sky with intention & determination, “I know. But I just see that ONE!”

_____________________________________________

Do you ever feel like you are just one of the masses? Are you caught in the cattle herd of culture and expectations, being pushed along by the masses? Does it feel like you are just plugging away trying not to get trampled on?  There are 7 billion people on this planet; do you know what makes you any different than anyone else?

Fact: in the midst of the multitude of people in the world, God knows YOU by name. He doesn’t just stop with your name. He knows where you have been, what you have done and everything you have been through. He knows the things heavy on your heart. He knows your fears; He knows your dreams. He knows everything about you and cares specifically for YOU! You stand out as ONE in a million to God, every minute of every day.

Now... you just have to believe it!

Image source: Google Images; stars in the sky 1. http://buyastar.biz/buy-a-star-in-the-sky/ 2. http://stevenkelleymusic.bandcamp.com/track/star-in-the-night-sky

How To Get a Job Doing Something You Would Do for Free?

Here is how it happened for me:

The job search began.  I quit my very part time job to search for a more steady income to cover the cost of private high school tuition and increased cost of, well, everything for our growing children these days. We asked around. I scoured the internet.

We also recognized our limitations in the search; so we took on a prayer challenge (Draw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge by MarkBatterson). The book suggested: be specific in our prayer requests and relentless in our pursuit of God as we awaited His answer.

Specific Prayer for a Specific Job

·         Monday through Friday, while my kids are at school.

·         Flexible hours because of family things that arise.

·         Global minded company or organization.

·         Somewhere I could feel like I was contributing to a greater cause (that I actually believed in).

·         Nothing I needed to bring home (because of the hectic family schedule once I get home)

Day 40 came and went. I did not have a job. God provided through an unexpected way for tuition. We waited. We trusted God to answer in His timing. We prayed for another 40 days.

I can’t tell you the exact prayer “day” we were on when the answer came. But it came. And oh how sweet the answer comes when it is so specific, so tailor fit just for you!

 It has been just a little over 2 months now in my new part time position at Feed My Starving Children (Aurora, IL). I am certain this position was designed exactly for me (at this stage in my life); it has exceeded every request I had prayed. Every day I walk in to the building there is a sense of home. Hour after hour I handle hand made market-ware from all over the world. I organize and pack up items that will spread the word of what we are doing: fighting against world hunger (and helping provide jobs for the artisans).  93 cents of every dollar donated goes to this cause. And we pray… on the job! We pray to start the day as a staff. We pray over the boxes being packed up on site by volunteers. We pray over every truck load being shipped out.

How did I end up in a job doing something I would do for free? God. God answered our specific prayers in a specific way.

What About You? He didn’t just answer my prayers. He can answer yours as well. What is on your mind? What specific request is gnawing at you because you can’t seem to “move” the situation? Pray. Not just wimpy, general prayers. Get specific! Say it out loud and wait for God to answer. The book we used was a helpful tool if you want to check it out. But it isn’t about the book. Just pray! God will answer. It may not look like what you thought but I know for certain…God will blow you away!!!

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you care about the specific details of our lives. Continue to push us to trust all of our needs in Your care and be willing to wait for what You have, not just what we can figure out on our own. Oh what a privilege it is to receive Your blessings! I am grateful. We praise You for all You have already done and all that You will do! Amen.

(All images from google images search: FMSC)