HOPE Everywhere!

I love the little things! I always have but being a counter of blessings, learning to write them down after Ann Voskamp's dare. . .I seem to notice all the more. And I believe that was one of the points, to notice and give God glory for all, even the microscopic. Sometimes the microscopic actually is enormous if we just not look, but really see.

The name of my church is Living Hope. We have a non-profit organization in our town that helps the homeless and needy whose name is Hope House. I am part of a Bridge Outreach Ministry for the homeless, a place where they can come for Hope. It is a dear place in my heart.

When I began to look for a publishing company for the book I had written, I chose one in Nashville and sent my manuscript there. A couple of weeks later, I received a very nice, encouraging but none the less, a rejection letter. But I was not dejected. I had hope because I believed in what I had written. I really believed the story came from God himself and I had the privilege of writing it out. So I prayed for the next publishing company. I believe I was directed from Hope Himself to the next place. I sent my manuscript off again. Three days later, I was accepted. The word hope is in the name of my publisher.

I am not surprised. God has amused me so much through my journey into the homeless community and through this journey of writing. I had no experience in either and there have been so many mishaps and yet, success happened. I have experienced so many blessings through new friendships out on the streets, seeing and feeling grace, growing in my relationship with Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. When I thought I couldn't do something or I was scared, I always heard the whisper, "I can do it through you, I will be with you."

That is my Hope. . .Jesus. He is the  true Living Hope and it's His House I will dwell in forever because I received the gift, the gift that came into a manger and the same gift who hung on a cross.

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. . .

First Peter 1:3

Hope in the stable. . .Hope on the cross. . .Hope in my heart. The four letter word may be small, but what it is, Who it is, is not. I am seeing Hope all around and not just in the names of things.

Do you see it?

If you are one who has not seen hope, felt hope, know where it is, please write me. Hope is all around. If you cannot see, I will point you in the right direction and we will pray for you to see. It would be the best Christmas present you would ever receive, a Christmas present that is not just given one day a year, but each and every day.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13