Hope is a gift:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3).
Hope is a choice:
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming (1 Peter 1:13).
Hope does not depend on the seen:
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently (Romans 8:22-25).
Hope depends on God's Word:
I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope (Psalm 130:5).
Hope depends on God's character:
Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption (Psalm 130:7).
Today I thank You, Lord. . .
~that You are good and Your steadfast love endures forever (Psalm 136:1)
~for Your presence in a difficult, uncomfortable week
~for my husband's support and willingness to adjust his plans to care for me
~for my mom's availability and willingness to give a day to me when I needed help and her company
~for my dad's voice on the phone
~for fancy tea from my sister
~two sets of family who love me and haven't yet voted me off the island
~for my husband's family's generations of Christian heritage
~for good days and bad days
~for Christmas presents on the porch
~for Ebony's faithful "fuzz therapy," health, and good cheer
~for caterpillars (swallowtail? though we only saw adult monarchs) left behind in the parsley as the monarch migration fades
~this stunning post reminding me "we are morning people"
(Gratitude list # 1841-1853)
