Hope.

There is one thing Bridget really looks forward to all day long.  From the time she wakes up, she anticipates it.  For the entire day, she tries her best to patiently wait [somedays she’s not so patient, though].  What is it?  A walk.  It’s something so small, yet means so much to her.  Every night she sits under the dinner table hoping that once the dishes are cleared I will lace up my sneakers and reach for her leash.  She hopes.  (I know, I know, she’s a dog.  But trust me, you can see it in her eyes!)

Can we go yet? Come on, I'll lead the way!

Hope.  What does that word even mean?

hope: verb 

1. to cherish a desire with anticipation; 

2. to expect with confidence

What do you hope for?

A boyfriend?  To pay off your student loans?  For the rain to hold off until you make it home from work?  A job?  A new car? That your mom will be healed of a life-threatening disease? 

We all do it… we have big and small hopes.  Hopes for material things and for God to make things happen, in the way only He can.  And it’s frustrating as all get out when what we’re hoping for doesn’t happen when or how we think it should. 

Right now, I’m hoping and praying for my husband to find a new job.  That we’ll be living in the same city again.  For God to show us where he wants Byron to work.  For it to happen [soon].  And right now, I’m frustrated.  A month has gone by and we’re still living apart.  I know and trust that God is in control of the situation and has something in store for us, but it’s challenging to be hopeful when the only thing I can do is wait.  And when, from my perspective, I can’t see anything in motion.

I could do different things:

1.     be angry with God because His plans aren’t aligning with mine, or

2.     humble myself, and continue to pray with hope for our situation.  

I choose the second. 

I trust that His plans are better than mine and know that He loves and cares for me. I’m working on my patience and trying my best to stop planning my life and let the Lord have control.  My prayers are heard and God knows my heart.  He does know what He’s doing, after all.  So, until His plans for me are revealed to me, I’m determined to stay hopeful for the future.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, 

and his ears are attentive to their cry; 

the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;

 he delivers them from their troubles.  

Psalm 34:15 &17