But as our friend from across the pond, Victor, who blogs here, pointed out in his comment on yesterday's blog---it is so much more.
"The thing is ... life itself is expectations. Some might call it hope. A baby is born ... we all hope he is OK and healthy and will have a good life. He grows up ... we hope he'll do well at nursery, school, college, university. He gets a job ... and we hope with him. He gets married ... that in itself is a symbol of hope and expectations that the marriage will be happy and will last an eternity. And so on it goes.
God gave us hope because without it there's really no point in going on. No matter how bad our situation is now, and how low we feel; without hope there's nothing more to keep us going.
And as you say, with hope, and expectations, we should have trust that He cares enough to see us through our darkest difficulties."
BINGO---today's blog topic.
My life does not look the way I thought it would---but I have hope it will be filled with joy anyway.
I miss the companionship found in a life long relationship. I miss having someone to rehash my day with. I miss being taken care of and caring for another. I have hope God sees my aloneness and will fill those gaps with friends.
The world and our country are in such a mess. I am concerned for my children and grandchildren and what the future may hold. I have hope things will turn around.
Where does this hope come from? Faith begets Hope.
The words to that old hymn "My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus' love and righteousness," describe if perfectly. Without Jesus is there any hope? Hope is built on the assurance found through experience. My experience is God is a faithful and loving. He has good plans for me---not my plans--but His.
And then in walks trust. My hope is based upon my trust which was also born of my faith. You might say hope and trust are siblings born of faith. As Victor so poignantly stated, "Without hope there's nothing more to keep us going." And it all is a gift from The Father. Hope for tomorrow, the hope of redemption, the hope of a future---it is what keeps us getting out of the bed every morning.
A beautiful cord--braided and intertwined so that it looks to be one --
Faith, Hope, Trust
Wrapped around us and securing us with the sure knowledge of a better future---The best is truly yet to come.
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from Him.
Psalm 62:5
Thank you so much, Lulu, for quoting me and linking to my Blog. I never thought I said anything worth quoting. You make me blush.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, we need hope to sustain us when things go wrong in our lives and don't turn out as expected. The whole message of Christianity is based on hope. The hope, and sure knowledge, that He loves us and awaits our return to Him in Paradise.
You mention lack of companionship. I wonder if perhaps, with technology being what it is, whether it is possible to link up with people via phones or internet for conversations and exchange of views. I remember years ago we used video conferencing at work to save us having to travel long distances to discuss matters with colleagues. A quick half-hour chat saved us time and money in travel.
God bless you for another great post, Lulu.
Amen to "The whole message of Christianity is based on hope." So thankful because of Jesus we have eternal hope! Thank you for allowing me to use your words, Victor.
DeleteBlessings, My Friend!
Romans 5:5 came to mind ... 'and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit'
ReplyDeleteWithout hope, we are sunk. With the kind of hope given by God, our vistas open enormously.
Weekend blessings, Lulu. I hope your Mother's Day shines bright!
I didn't know it was Mothers' Day. Best wishes to you all.
DeleteHere in the UK we've had Mothers' Day back on 6 March. Thankfully, we don't have a mother-in-law Day.
God bless.
Victor, your POOR MIL! I wonder if my SIL and DIL are saying the same thing?
DeleteBlessings!
Linda, don't you love that, "HOPE does NOT disappoint--BECAUSE of the LOVE OF GOD!!" YES AND YES!!
DeleteHappy Mother's Day to You, My Friend!
Blessings!
Hope and Faith are two things that go together...beautiful post, my friend...Happy Mothers Day to you...(and, I'll lend you my hubby if you want idle chit chat---he is very good at that, giggling).
ReplyDeleteLaughing! I have told others to not complain--it is a living breathing human being in the room with you! Did you see Linda's scripture reference in her comment? YES!
DeleteHappy Mother's Day, My Friend!