Daily Echoes with God

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Listening...

We spend a considerable amount of time praying to God and reaching out with our requests and praise reports. However, how often do we take time and listen to what God has to say to us? Our Heavenly Father desires to share His thoughts with us. Remember we have a relationship with a Living God, and like in any healthy relationship, there should be two-way communication. Each time God speaks to us we can learn more about Him and about His will for our lives. What an incredible opportunity to become closer to our Father.

So, how do we listen to Him? There are several ways.

He can speak clearly to us as we have seen in the bible. He can speak to our heart through something we may see around us. God also uses His word to speak to us. We can spend time in His word daily and learn more about His character and His will for our day. We need to be in a posture of receiving to hear God. Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and you can tell they are distracted by something else and not really listening? That is how conversations degrade and miscommunication occurs. To hear our Heavenly Father clearly, we need to come in a posture of listening, and not with a list of our personal requests. Remember God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason so we can listen twice as hard as we speak.

We must first clear our head from all the things that are distracting us from Him. It takes focused attention. We need to take the time to step away from the grind of the day. Or perhaps - start your day fresh before leaving your bed by asking God to speak to you first. Focus on His still small voice speaking to your heart. Give it some time. Like every good skill, it takes practice…

It takes a moment of silence sometimes. It’s okay to be silent. We are so caught up with the noise around us it is hard to sit in silence. Ask Him for help being still and silent before Him. Remember, He hears everything we ask and can help with this simple request. Don’t get frustrated if you do not hear anything the first time, or even the second or third time. Every moment you spend with the Lord is not wasted. It is a chance to get to know Him more and grow as a Christian.

There may be times that God just keeps repeating something in our head over and over - until we hear Him - through the clutter that is going on in our thoughts. Yesterday was one of those days for my husband.

God often speaks to Carl late at night when he is asleep. That is normally when Carl’s brain is the quietest. God wakes Carl and proceeds to give him a solution to a problem he was working on the day before. Occasionally he receives an idea to proactively take care of something that is coming up in the future. Each time Carl wakes up and excitedly shares the new revelation with me. “God gave me the answer!” He always says. He then proceeds to move forward with the direction God gave him for the job or project he was tackling that week. One of our relatives used to say that Carl had a lucky horseshoe and that is why it happened. That relative didn’t realize a simple shoe didn’t have the power of God who can speak to anyone. The rank was much higher than an inanimate object.

Back to my story…

Yesterday afternoon my husband was working hard at a job and God wanted to get his attention once again. So, while he was diligently working on the job, the solution to another job was put in Carl’s head. He didn’t know why he heard the solution but filed it for a later time. God kept bringing the answer to the problem over and over into Carl’s mind. The solution became a proverbial pebble in Carl’s shoe. He couldn’t get it out of his head. As Carl cleaned up from the job he was working on and headed home, he called me and mentioned the solution in passing. We discussed it several times as dinner was cooking.

Then the phone rang. It was the answering service. A service call that day needed assistance again. That was the call Carl kept thinking about. He mentioned to the technician earlier in the day the solution that needed to be implemented. Somehow there was a breakdown in communication. Carl knew it was coming and was prepared. He got back into his truck and headed out to the customer. The solution God gave him was the exact thing the customer needed to fix their problem. Imagine that.

It wasn’t the first time it happened to Carl, and it won’t be the last. Each time he listens to God speak they become closer in their relationship. I envy that but know God speaks to each of us differently. He speaks to me through daily activities and a still small voice. Each time I listen I am getting to know my Father more and we are becoming closer. That is the ultimate goal.

Reach out and see how God can speak to you today.

He does and He will.

1 Samuel 3:10

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Numbers 22:28

Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, “What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?”

1 Kings 19:12-13

After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Job 38:1-4

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?

Friday, February 17, 2023

A time for everything...

I looked up from my desk this morning and realized today was Friday…already. February is half over.

February?

What happened to January?

Didn’t we just usher in a new year…2023?

I know you have heard this before, but it is worth repeating. Time seems to fly by faster as we get older.

When I was younger Time was just a word. Time seemed to stand still, especially during school days and exams. I would sit in class and watch the clock on the wall. Tick. Tick. Tick. The clock seemed to tick louder and louder as I watched the secondhand move. Obviously, I wasn’t paying as much attention to my studies as I was the mechanical capabilities of the wall clock. That is a story for another time.

This brings me back to the last couple of months. I have been fighting some physical issues. A migraine since mid-December to be exact. This was a new inconvenience to my schedule. I have delt with headaches for many years due to allergies. Sometimes they take on a life of their own and ‘become’ a migraine. This particular one was new. A migraine that decided to pack a suitcase and stay for a while. It disrupted everything in my life. My work, my volunteer duties, my sleep, everything… However, no matter how much my head bothered me, I kept stubbornly pushing through. For those of you who know me, I know you aren’t surprised.

Then God stepped in.

I lost a week last week.

God allowed me to be completely down for the week. I was so physically weak I couldn’t get up and do any work. I couldn’t do anything. I could only sit and – Be Still. That is what He called me to do.

He wanted to speak to my heart and show me something. I was so busy trying to ‘get things done’ that I put myself down for not staying ahead. Aren’t we funny how we can put ourselves down but easily extend grace to others who are struggling? He gently reminded me that He didn’t need me to do everything.

First, He showed me behind the curtains where He was working all along but I was too busy to notice. His people came out in droves to help. They prayed. They stepped in and assisted with the UME Gala and Children’s Church. They checked in on me. My husband blew up his entire week to care for me. God wanted me to know I wasn’t alone.

So, I listened. I accepted His direction. I sat and was still. He then spoke to me. He sat with me. I communed with Him. I was able to intercede for others while sitting still last week. Nothing got in my way of our time together. It was beautiful. There was no thought of time. Time didn’t matter. Only listening to His voice. It was as if time stood still.

I experienced God in a new way. Not that God is new. My mindset was new. I needed refreshing. I needed to step aside. He allowed me to be sick so I would listen.

How many times do we need that?

Work never ends. The bills never go away. The rat-race of life is moving faster as we get older.

I watched a video on social media last week while I was sitting in bed contemplating my migraine. The speaker held up a long piece of rope. The very end, about four inches was painted red. The red painted part represented our life on earth. The small four inches was our entire existence on earth. The remaining part of the rope represented the remaining part of our existence in eternity. That little red piece was everything we focus on.

Birth

Growing up

Getting a job and possibly a family

Working towards retirement

Retirement is the goal… Or is it?

Four inches of red.

What was glaringly obvious was the remaining part of the rope.

Are we living like the four inches of red is all there is?

Are we living like we are going to our true home someday?

Are we living to tell others about their time here?

We can’t turn the hourglass around and start over. We only have so much ‘sand’ in our hourglass. The red four inches on the rope. Only God knows the day and hour of our last moment.

Are we living like we are dying?

Sometimes we need to Wake Up from our slumber and step out in faith sharing our testimony with others so they can wake up too.

Sometimes we need to Be Still… and listen to His voice.

Either way - we need to be open to listening to Him. He will give us the direction and the words.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

Hebrews 9:27

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Wednesday, February 1, 2023

Need meat, lettuce...

People have asked me over the years how I work with my husband 24/7 in the same business. We laugh over that question. Our first response is normally; “Because of God.” What follows that statement is, “And because of United Marriage Encounter.” Both are attributes to our working together in the business for almost 6 years. I have also learned to keep a sense of humor.

Are we perfect? Absolutely not. But we are covered by His grace as we move through this imperfect world together. And for that I am grateful. I have someone to tackle this time on earth with. We do have our moments though. A week or so ago was one of them.

I was running errands with our office manager when I received a text notification from my husband. The announcement came over the car’s radio. “You have a text message” I was excited to hear from him because we are normally too busy to talk during the day. Occasionally he sends me a quick text to say hi or “I Love You.” I eagerly hit the play button while I was driving down the road.

“Need meat, lettuce, cheese. Please”

Well, that wasn’t what I expected.

I have received texts in the past from my husband. Sometimes he uses speech to text and what comes across the airwaves is not quite what he meant to say. I have heard words that didn’t belong together or were not actual words.

This was a new message.

Here is his backstory:

My husband ran out of lunch meat when he made his sandwich for lunch that morning. He wanted to remind me as he went driving down the road. Simple. Yet amusing.

“Need?”

I drove down the road and started to laugh at the humor of ‘need’.

I could think of several things he might ‘need’ more than lettuce. Heck I could think of a few things I would prefer over lettuce.

Possible dinner out

…and a bit of romance...?

Hey at least it did end it with please, right?

We love to communicate our daily activities when my husband comes home from his installs. Some days are better than others. This particular day would be a humorous one. I did laugh for the rest of the day when I remembered his text.

Since the bar was set so low, I believed he would be happy to know I did pick up the necessary processed meat, rabbit food, and over-processed milk.

I also purchased him some snacks for after dinner.

That is love.

That is how we communicate and work together. Words are very powerful. Remember to lift up each other with your words.

God is the glue that holds it all together.

And keep a sense of humor 😊

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Song of Songs 1:2

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth— for your love is more delightful than wine.

Song of Songs 1:2,15

How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.

Friday, January 20, 2023

Boxing in my dream...

I woke up this morning contemplating a dream I just had about boxing. I will start by stating that I am not a boxing fan. I don’t particularly watch any sports lately. I used to watch the NY Yankees all the time. Please don’t hate me if you are not a Yankees fan. I grew up playing softball so enjoyed watching the game later as an adult. Baseball was a fun distraction for many years.

So back to the boxing. I had a dream I was in a boxing ring. This was a strange situation because I am not a physical fighter. I would rather spar with my words than my fists. When I was younger… Well, that is a different story for another time.

The strange part of the dream, besides being in a boxing ring, was the fight was almost over and I was in the process of making the one punch knockout blow. Is that a term? I remember feeling a rush of adrenaline and was excited to knock out my perceived enemy with a smile on my face. When I woke up, I thought, “That is weird because I am not a boxer.” How would I know what it felt like to be ‘in’ the ring? I sat on it for a minute, then fell back asleep.

Then I had a second dream. One of pure joy and reconciliation with one of our grown kids. We were talking and sharing like we did so many years ago. My heart was full. Then I woke up. Grief filled my heart as I realized it was only a dream.

Praying about what I remembered in my dream, I asked the Lord for clarity. I felt secure that God was telling me the battle was going to be won. God will restore what the enemy has tried to take away. Reconciliation. Family. Unity. I am not sure when, but I stand on His promise that it will happen.

This was a confirmation I needed to hear.

Each time we pray, we are fighting spiritual battles. God is not sitting above choosing which prayer to hear. Again, this was a confirmation in my dream. But it was also a reminder. The battle is fierce. The enemy is not fooling around. Why are we surprised by spiritual attacks? They come every day because the enemy does not rest.

But our God is bigger!

When a boxer steps into the ring, they are preparing to fight someone. They are also expecting to win. The boxer does not walk into the ring to lose or compromise a fight. Failure is not on their mind. We need to look at spiritual warfare the same way.

We need to walk in the ‘spiritual’ ring knowing we are going to battle. We need to hold nothing back and go in planning on fighting to WIN no matter what. We can’t go in to battle half-hearted.

Fight the good fight knowing WHO has your back! Gods got this and He has you in His hand!

Will you stand in prayer with me for our kids?

Standing on His promise - Acts 16:31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved-you and your household."

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

1 Corinthians 9:24

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Sunday, January 1, 2023

Look towards the light...

I woke up like any other day, but for some reason felt different. Have you ever had an intense dream and woke up feeling you were still in the dream? That is how I felt. My brain felt foggy, if that makes sense. I woke up thinking I needed more coffee to jump start my day. As the morning progressed, I realized neither coffee nor food was helping. I then made the judgement that maybe I haven’t been getting enough sleep. So, I put aside all the demands for my day and laid down. I felt a bit selfish but decided that maybe rest was better than me trying to do calculations on my computer. I didn’t want to make financial mistakes. The nap was refreshing but didn’t change the brain fog.

Nighttime came and we went to bed early assuming I would be better the next day. However, when I woke up the same fog came across my brain. It was hard to concentrate. I couldn’t put sentences together. Light and noise were very distracting. Since there was no real pain other than feeling like my head was in a clamp, I decided to do what I never do, go seek medical assistance or what my husband calls – level 2 support. 😊

If you know me, you’d understand that was my last-ditch effort after prayer because I really dislike going to any doctor. But because I was feeling so off and had symptoms I couldn’t understand, I decided to take it to the professionals.

Going to urgent care was not in my plans for the day. However overnight cognitive changes were more important than my daily schedule, so I had my office manager drive me to Urgent Care. We proceeded to wait two hours to be seen. I was ready to head back home at that point because I hated wasting not only my time but the kind person’s time who drove me there. I am not patient. That is another topic for another day.

I felt grateful for waiting when I finally saw physician’s assistant. He was very patient with my frustration and conducted multiple tests. He believed I was having an a-typical migraine. This is a migraine with no pain but other debilitating symptoms. He gave me a few pills and a shot. I had to then wait to see if the meds were going to work. One hour later we reconvened and decided the meds were not working as quickly as he thought and recommended, we head to the local hospital for a CT scan, just in case.

The hospital did a CT scan and confirmed there were no other outstanding issues. I was blessed by the results and went home to sit in the dark awaiting the meds to take affect.

I also received another unexpected blessing I wanted to share with you. As we were waiting on the meds to take affect at Urgent Care, the PA asked if he could pray for me. And just like that, God stepped in and not only used that person to pray for me, but He also reassured me in the process that He was still there and had not left my situation. What a blessing to have that moment.

Nothing is a surprise for God. Not even my migraine. He allows certain things to happen in our lives to get our attention, slow us down, or as a test to strengthen us spiritually. I felt the test and the ‘slow down’ sign. So, I did. I sat with the Lord and listened as He said “Be Still.” I spent the rest of the day listening to scripture from my Bible Ap focusing on what was important.

The next day the cognitive abilities returned but then the pain joined the party. My head felt like an 80s hangover for the next day and a half. But afterwards, everything went back to normal. Well as normal as life can be…

So, my personal lesson from this experience…

From losing my ability to think clearly…

To driving to urgent care…

To praying with a fellow believer…

To sitting in the dark with God…

To waking up finally in a better state, but pain…

God was with me through it all and He reminded me as friends prayed and checked in on me throughout the week.

The most difficult part of that week was the light. Bright lights were painful to look at and I had to keep the lights and my computer dimmed as I recovered.

I felt grateful when I couldn’t stand the bright light - God sat with me in the dark.

God will stand with you during your dark times. He never leaves you. Remember the darkest night is like daylight to God.

Grateful to be back writing and with no pain <3

Grateful for you!

Grateful for what is in store for 2023!

Psalms 139:7-12

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31: 8

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Saturday, December 24, 2022

The perfect storm Christmas Eve...

The perfect storm Christmas Eve

My husband and I had plans to take a break and breathe a bit after a hectic busy year. We were excited to get ready for a Christmas surprise at our church for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Not letting the secret out here because you will have to attend church to find out! 4PM Saturday and 10AM Sunday at Oasis Christian Fellowship on Five Mile Line Road in Penfield 😊Come and join us!

Back to my story…

As this week progressed, we saw the storm coming into our area. Snow and frigid temps were forecasted. We knew that the cold temperatures would increase our calls for the company. Furnaces can only withstand so much with age. Some of the older furnaces make it a day or so but then the breakdowns occur. We know this and prepare each year. However, with Christmas coming we were hoping for a different outcome. God had other plans.

The weather hit Friday and the calls started to increase. The team worked furiously to keep ahead of the demand and by Friday night it seemed like we were winning the battle. Then after dinner the calls started up again. Some were willing to wait till Saturday morning, but others were not. So, my husband regrouped and went back out into the frigid night to help another customer in need.

Today, Christmas Eve the team is out again in full force as we help as many customers as possible before our Church service. We will continue to tackle all the calls throughout the weekend as needed. We are so thankful for the team of men who go out into the cold along side us and help our customers instead of staying in their warm home with family.

God wasn’t surprised by this storm that hit our area any more than He was surprised by the storm in Bethlehem thousands of years ago.

The temperatures were not frigid like here in the Upstate of NY. However, the lack of rooms available as Joseph and Mary went into the small town to do the census was their personal storm. God knew this would happen and softened the heart of an inn keeper to allow them to stay in his barn.

What a way to spend the night. Pregnant and tired sleeping on a barn floor. Oh, and by the way, the baby decided it was time to come. Now? Really? I can imagine how Mary must have felt. “Lord, seriously?” “Isn’t there a better place to do this after you planned it for so many years?” I can’t imagine how Joseph felt either. He wanted to take care of his betrothed and this was the best he could find. As a man it had to be frustrating. We read the story shared in the gospel of Luke, but what about the back story? What about how they were feeling? Remember, Joseph and Mary were only human. This had to feel like a step back and not in God’s plan.

What we must remember is that everything may look like a storm, but it is all in God’s hands. Mary didn’t know what was about to happen as she traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem.

God did.

We didn’t know we would be working all weekend into Christmas.

God did.

His plans were in place. Nothing surprises God. Imagine that.

So, if you are facing a storm this Christmas Eve, remember God knows. He is with you as you fight through the storm. Remember all the times He has been faithful to you before. Remember He will always be faithful till the end.

Trust the process

Trust an All-Knowing God.

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:1-7

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Standing in the Gap...

This term has been used so many times over the years that it sometimes dilutes the meaning. The act of intercession is so powerful that it can’t be overlooked, and I want to share some thoughts on it here. The picture above was taken from 'the Google' as I call it. I thought it represented how we pray/war for others.

MIND THE GAP

In this London stock photo above, it shows three simple words. Mind the gap.

People see it daily when stepping onto the rail (train). This small phrase is to focus on what is not there, the gap between the platform and the rail. This gap may be small but also can be precarious if missed. The gap is important and should not be overlooked.

It is also important when we stand in the gap for others in prayer. We can intercede for those who are unable or sometimes unwilling. Each time we come to the throne of God on behalf of someone else, we are standing in the gap for them.

There may have been many who stood in the gap for you unbeknownst to you. I have prayed for many that will never know I did. That’s okay. What is important is that we don’t give up. Even when we don’t see results. We don’t know what is going on behind the veil that is covering our eyes. So much is happening behind the scenes. We need to just trust and continue to intercede.

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Judah was the one to stand in the gap for his brother Benjamin who was taken hostage by their brother Joseph. Neither Judah nor Benjamin knew Joseph was their brother which makes this significant. Judah who was self-focused, personally guaranteed Benjamin’s safe return to their father Jacob. This selfless act showed Judah’s heart for his father and his brother.

Moses stood in the gap for the wayward people of Israel when they were sinning in Exodus 32. After all the grumbling the people of Israel did, Moses still stood in the gap for them.

Abraham stood in the gap for Sodom and asked God to save Sodom if He could find only ten righteous people. He started with fifty and kept going back to the Lord until there were only ten. He probably thought for sure there would be ten righteous people with Lot and his family.

Ezekiel knew how important it was to have people stand in the gap. In Ezekiel 22 God states He was looking for someone to stand in the gap on behalf of the people and build the wall. He found no one and so the land was judged.

Stephen stood in the gap for those who stoned him in Acts 7. Imagine interceding for those who are killing you? That was an incredible testimony which Saul was a witness to.

And the biggest example is Christ who stood in the gap for us when He went to the cross. He became the bridge to God.

We can be a bridge as we intercede for our friends and family. The importance of this act is beyond words. Every time you pray for someone, God hears. Reread that sentence. You have an instant connection with a Holy God who hears all of your prayers. God is always live streaming. Your prayers are not in vain.

He hears you.

Will you stand in the gap with me?

Genesis 18:32

Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?” And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”

Psalms 106:23

So he declared he would destroy them. But Moses, his chosen one, stepped between the Lord and the people. He begged him to turn from his anger and not destroy them.

Acts 7:60

Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Hope for a Thursday.

There are 17 days till Christmas...

I feel…

How many feeling words can you put into that small sentence?

It all depends on your circumstances. You might feel excited because you are going to see family. You might feel anxious for the same reason. You might feel joyful because your shopping is completed. You also might feel distressed because there isn’t enough money for the gifts you want to purchase.

I can finish that sentence with so many words this week. How much time do you have? 😊

Out of all the feelings that come to the surface, let me push one forward to the front of your thoughts.

HOPE

The bible has over 316 occurrences in 13 translations on Hope. There must be a reason why, right? The world has a way of distracting us, and in turn, we humanly attempt to fix things in our own strength. For example, as fixers by nature, we may drop something on the floor and by pure reflex, pick it back up again. Unless you are one of those people who drop things and leave…lol just kidding.

Because we are so used to fixing the daily things that get in our way, we often use that same instant reflex to ‘fix’ things that belong in God’s hand. Abraham was a fixer. He was given a promise by God. He was going to be the father of many nations, remember? After some time, well many years, Abraham decided to do something on his own. How did that work out? Not as good as Abraham first thought. There was a problem, and he saw a solution.

I have been guilty of doing things in my owns strength. Finding my own solutions. I don’t want to ‘trouble’ God with my small issues, so I ‘fix’ them. That fix often looks like a kindergarten project. I am sure God smiles at my attempts like we do with our own children.

Again, HOPE.

One of the definitions for Hope is: To have confidence; trust.

We can have confidence that what God started in us, He will complete it. (Philippians 1:6) However, sometimes we get impatient and try to ‘help’ God. My impatience is actually a lack of confidence and trust in my God. When I look at it that way, I feel a warning check in my spirit. When I sat down to write this, I felt secure in my confidence towards God. As I continue to write, I realize my secure feeling is shifting more towards fidgety and disappointed in myself. Thank God for His Grace & Mercies are new every morning!

So back to Hope!

To have confidence and trust. Trust. It takes trust (faith) to let go of something and give it over to God. All the feelings we have about Christmas.

All the stresses we have surrounding the holidays and work and family.

We can trust God with each and every one of them. How awesome is that? We can have Hope knowing our God has got this and we know how the book ends.

Hand over your feelings, and stresses over to an All Knowing God. He’s got this!

Here is a link to verses about Hope. Do a study on Hope and fill your cup for the holidays…

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Hope