Tag Archives: hope

Bailout plan fails. God doesn’t.


The bailout plan failed.  The Dow suffered its worst drop ever.  Yet, so many of you told me yesterday how you are expecting good things from God – and how you are enjoying His presence more than ever. 

I can’t tell you the countless number of people I’ve talked to who are going through some tough stuff.  Some are dissatisfied with where they are in life.  Some are surrendering different things to God.  And, all are praying for His direction and His peace.  And, in spite of the economy’s financial instability, dissatisfaction in careers, struggles in relationships, every single person has hope. 

I don’t enjoy financially difficult times.  I certainly didn’t enjoy a divorce.  Tough times are, well, tough.  But, I have to admit.  It is during these tough times and trials that we realize our need for God. 

If life was always easy – if we never walked through one single valley – would we realize how much we need a Savior? 

Perhaps that’s why scripture tell us to REJOICE in tribulation.  It produces perseverance.  Perseverance produces character.  And character produces HOPE.  

It’s during these times that we fall into the arms of our Father.  We fall into His love.  And, we fall into His peace.  And, we can’t help but recognize how much we need Him. 

It’s where our relationship with Christ grows.  It’s where we can be still, and know He is God.  And, know that His promises are yes and Amen.  And, know that for every disappointment is an appointment with God.  And, know that He NEVER EVER fails.

        On Christ the solid rock I stand;
        All other ground is sinking sand,
        All other ground is sinking sand.

5 Comments

Filed under disappointment, God Stuff

I have hopes.


“Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.”
– Jose Addison

I couldn’t agree more. 

The latter essential, “something to hope for”, got me thinking.

I have hopes on different levels.  I have the usual hopes that my children will grow up and be Christ-followers.  I have hopes that they will be happy and experience as few as hurts as possible.

I have hopes that I will grow old with Kris.

I have hopes that one day chocolate will be an aid in weight loss.

I have hopes that I will get my butt in gear and write a book.

I have hopes that I will experience Disney World with my children.

I have hopes that God will always provide.

I have hopes that He is control.

I have hopes that Anna’s daily outfit choices will improve.

I have hopes that there is life eternal.

I have hopes.

How ‘bout you?  You got some hopes?

6 Comments

Filed under life

Hope does not disappoint.


Last night was special.  I was with some of my closest friends.  As I looked around the room, I took notice of every single friend.  I thought to myself, in amazement, what each one has endured – and, how each one was still standing.

For all of us girls, it’s been about real covenant friendship.  A kind of “no matter what” friendship.  A friendship where we have grown together in Him.  A friendship based on that very foundation. 

We have rejoiced with one another.  We have cried with one another. 

None of us have been immune to disappointments. 

Some of us were widowed in our twenties and thirties.

Some of us were left to parent alone.

Some of us have experienced broken hearts and shattered dreams.

Some of us have lost a child.

We know pain.  We know disappointment.

But, we also know this:

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  Romans 5:3-5

Knowing this doesn’t magically obliterate pain or erase the past.  But it does let us embrace how much Jesus loves us and how much we love each other. 

Because, hope does not disappoint.  And, we will never stop hoping.

That Romans 5 scripture has carried me through a lot of disappointments.  Do you have a special scripture that carries you through yours?

4 Comments

Filed under Spiritual Journey