“That is why I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised.” Psalm 130:5

Don’t Give Up!

At the beginning of last year, someone sent me a verse from “The Passion Translation” of the Bible. “Here’s what I’ve learned through it all—don’t give up; don’t be impatient; be entwined as one with the Lord. Be brave and courageous and never lose hope. Yes, keep on waiting—for He will never disappoint you!” (Psalm 27:14)

I felt it was my theme for the year. Being one with the Lord, keeping hope alive, and waiting to see what God had in store for us. That was a good plan for the year. I read the verse frequently, proclaimed my trust in the Lord, and tried to be patient.

As the new year of 2018 rolled around, I wondered what God would say for this year. As I was getting my agenda ready for the year (I’m very old fashioned in that I still love a paper agenda!), I was praying over the month of January and I felt the Lord put into my heart that He wanted to renew and refresh hope in my heart! I even had a little sticker that said “hope” that I felt I was to put on the page for the month.

It’s easy to lose hope—or to have it grow dim when the journey is long and setbacks come. Having cancer return to my body this past year was definitely a setback! As all this came to me, I realized that I needed a refreshment of hope in my heart… so I opened my heart to receive that from the Lord as my word for the year. Once I did that, it swelled in my heart—trusting anew in the God of hope!!

Imagine my sweet surprise when I had an email the next morning from a friend who said she’d been feeling to pray for fresh hope for me and that God wanted to give hopeful fresh beginnings, great surprises, and unexpected joy to me. It was such a sweet exclamation point to what God had been saying to me. I love it when that happens!

Then my daily reading said that God can “weave miracles into the most mundane day” if we keep our focus on Him. I’m continuing to trust Him, with renewed hope, and watching for the surprises, joy, and miracles that He has in store – even in ordinary days.

So, in this new year, I wait to see what little things and big things He has in store for me and for our family.  Please join me in fresh expectation!  I’m praying God will let hope grow in all our hearts.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (Jeremiah 29:11).

“The hope of the righteous brings joy” (Proverbs 10:28).

Hope is being refreshed in my heart as I spend time with Him. I can have hope in this new year because our story isn’t finished yet. God is still at work. Thank you for your prayers for all He is doing.

“Father, grant us fresh hope in Your Son, Jesus Christ, for this new year. Amen.”