A Little Dusting of Hope

"To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

Here it is, January 26 in Northern VA and still no snow. What is going on? The kids had 2 days off of school last week and the weather forecast called for a slight chance of snow. So, we packed up our snow gear and headed to a friend's house to anxiously await the snow. We were sorely disappointed when all we saw were a few flurries in the car on the way. NOTHING! My kids had almost completely lost hope of any snow days when just this morning, while getting ready for school....SNOW! I mean real snow. Not just a flurry. SNOW! Within 20 minutes there was enough to make the street white. So in the few spare minutes before leaving for school, the kids were out on the deck, gathering small handfuls off of the patio table and catching flakes on their tongues and eyelashes. Yes, the snow was short lived. Within 2 hours, the streets were black again and all evidence of snow was gone, but that little bit of snow was all it took to instill hope in their sweet little hearts. YES! Snow is coming!

Isn't it the same with most of us? Maybe for you and I it isn't snow, but something much bigger and life changing: a husband, a family, financial security, a scriptural promise, the fulfillment of God's calling in your life, healing... The list has infinite possibilities. We wait, wait, wait until we have just about exhausted our ability to wait any longer. Hope wanes and we begin to believe it will never happen.

I would like to offer you a little "dusting of snow" if I may. A little something to instill hope in your heart. God is still God and He reigns eternally! He is in control and knows every detail of your life and situation. On top of that, he knows, desires and plans what is best for your life.

I pray that each person reading this knows Christ personally and therefore can stand firm knowing that Christ within you is "the hope of glory". What more could we hope for than for eternity with Him in the fullness of His glory? All hopes are fulfilled in HIM!

Pull up a rock!

“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”
Exodus 17:12 (NIV)

I was recently talking with a dear friend, and although our time together was precious and joyful, I was also heart broken as she began to share with me the depth of difficulties she and her family are facing. One of her children has a degenerative disease with many accompanying complications. Their family has stood firmly in the strength of the Lord for years and trusted Him for healing. They have waited patiently. The last couple of years, however, have proven to be almost too much to bear. The diagnosis has changed, the complications have worsened and their strength is wearing thin. I listened as my friend shared with me how difficult it has become to even pray the simplest prayer in the morning. They are tired.

As I later shared the gravity of the situation with my husband, and told him how difficult it had even become for them to pray, he immediately and simply stated “Then they don’t have to. We will do it for them!” The conviction with which he spoke struck me.

I was reminded of Exodus 17 when the Amalekites attacked Israel. As long as Moses held up his hands with the staff of God, Joshua and the Israelite army were winning. But when his hands came down, the Israelites began to lose. The fact is, even the strongest man of God needed the support of those around him. So what did his closest friends and supporters do? They pulled up a rock for him to sit on, allowing him to have some rest. Then they stood, not behind him, but on either side of him, and lifted his hands high. They supported the weight he had to hold until the battle was over.

I know God was showing the Israelites that it was by his power that they won the battle, but there is so much more there. This is what we as the body of Christ are called to do for one another. The fact is, most of us, if not all of us, will at some point in our lives face a trial or difficulty that becomes so heavy and tiresome that we can’t seem to even pray anymore. We run out of words and the energy to speak them. That is when our brothers and sisters in Christ must provide some rest and come along side of us to support the weight that we carry. It isn’t enough to say, “I’m here for you,” or “I’m behind you all the way.” NO! It is our responsibility to face the trial head on beside each other and support the weight. Pray as if it is our own need. Cry out to God as if crying out for our own child! Intercede and offer up our prayers to the One who ultimately lifts the weight upon Himself.

Please know that if you are facing a battle and can't seem to pray anymore, it’s alright. Allow others to support you so that you can continue. Even Moses needed help. If you are one who has a friend despairing, pull up a rock and lift them up in prayer!

My friend! You know who you are. I want you to know that you are not facing this battle alone! My family is committed to you. We have pulled up a rock for you. Sit down and feel the rest and renewed strength that is coming as we, and I'm sure many others, lift your arms up.

Welcome 2009! (a little late)

I can't believe we are already 8 days into 2009! I had expected to add a new post by New Years Eve or New Years day. But as you may know, I'm often a little behind my desired schedule. At least I know there is a reason. We spent 12 wonderful days in California with our family for Christmas and New Years Day. We truly dedicated that time to family and so enjoyed it. Then back home to Virginia on Jan. 2nd. You know what that means...unpacking, laundry, housekeeping and trying to get over jet lag! UGH! So here I am, on January 8, finally writing again.

I've been thinking a lot about what I would write as I face a new year, and honestly I'm stumped. No special "New Years" theme has jumped out at me. I'm not one much for making New Years resolutions. I don't usually keep them. I do however have several goals I am committing to complete this year. One of which is posting to this blog at least once a week. :) Most people I know don't actually make New Years resolutions for the same reason I don't. I do, however, think most people at least consider the year ahead. What will it be like? What will happen? Will it be good? Will it be bad? What do you ask yourself? What do you think about on the first day of a brand new year?

My dear friend and fellow blogger, Christy Butcher, encouraged me, (through her blog) with her decision to find a "Word of the Year". Each year she decides on a new word to focus on for that year. I began to think, what word would I choose? Hmmmm..... The problem is, my indecisive personality has not made it possible to choose just one. I have a list! But if I had to choose one to put at the top of my list this year, it would be JOY! I would love for this to be a year of joy! I want to face every day with an attitude of joy. Nehemiah 8:10 says "...the joy of the Lord is your strength." I'm sure I'm going to need a little strength along the way as well. Maybe I should add "strength" to my list.

The fact is, this new year is a year of unknown for every one of us. It may hold prosperity, insecurity, health or sickness. We may encounter new experiences and new friends. We may reconnect with old friends and deepen relationships. Whatever this new year holds, whether good or bad, I pray that we face it each day with the Joy of the Lord!