Hope

Hope. That's what I've been learning about. That's also what this picture represents to me.

A few weeks ago an arctic cold front swept through the country and temperatures dropped below freezing in Georgia. A few of my friends were doing happy dances because it finally felt like winter down here, but I was in mourning for all the cheerful daffodils that had succumbed to the weather. (Daffodils are my favorite flower.) On the way to church the next morning I sadly noted the wilted stems. It wasn't the first time I'd seen this happen and I could already picture the drooping patches of yellow becoming soggy, brown messes. I know how this ends, I thought to myself.

But I didn't.

The other day I decided to enjoy the delightful weather outside and clean out some flower beds. As I was working I noticed the daffodil from the picture above. A few days ago it had been lying in the dirt and I had mentally assigned it to its doom. But it wasn't rotting or even lying on the ground now, instead it was bravely lifting its dirt-stained face to the sun again.

Jenna, don't give up on "hopeless" situations. You don't know how the story ends. Hope in Me.

I almost burst into tears right there, kneeling in the dirt by the neighbor's fence. You see, there are some situations in my life that are looking like that daffodil looked a week ago - unsalvageable. Until yesterday, my attitude about these situations was the same as it was for the flowers - I've seen this all before. I know how the story ends. Why even bother hoping?

How could I have forgotten that "We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37), that I serve "The God who works wonders" (Psalm 77:14)?

 In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; 
Let me never be ashamed. 
 In Your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; 
Incline Your ear to me and save me. 
 Be to me a rock of habitation to which I may continually come; 
You have given commandment to save me, 
For You are my rock and my fortress. 
 Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, 
Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man, 
 For You are my hope; 
O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth. 
By You I have been sustained from my birth; 
You are He who took me from my mother’s womb; 
My praise is continually of You.

Psalm 71:1-6

Missing Rainbows?

Today when we got home from Good News Club we discovered this radiant rainbow, the biggest one I've ever seen!

Genesis 9:16

And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.


Every time I see a rainbow it makes me wonder if it was placed there just for me. :)


 I read a true story once about a teenage girl who was going through a difficult time and happened to read the story of the rainbow in Genesis. She cried out to God, "Where is my rainbow?" and the very next day there was the most brilliant rainbow she had ever laid eyes on, right outside her window.


I always thought that was one of the sweetest stories I had ever heard of. And it makes me wonder, what rainbows am I missing in my life? Are there little assurances of God's promises that He leaves in my path and I have failed to notice?


What do you think?

Weather

This week I am grateful for: Wonderful weather!!!

I know all there are terrible storms ravaging the upper and lower east coast, but here in GA we are enjoying the loveliest weather we've had in a long time. We've received the rain we prayed for, earlier in the week, while yesterday and today we've been soaking up the sun during a much-needed break from the humidity and heat.

And it looks as if it will continue! According to weather.com our temps will be in the 80s for at least another week! (Perhaps we will ease right into fall this year instead of swinging back and forth between indian summer and autumn.)

Thank you Jesus!