31 Days of Hope - Day 29

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I hope; 

my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning…” 

 Psalm 130:5-6

The job of a watchman was an important one when this verse was written. With a huge amount of business involving crops, watchmen were placed in towers to protect fields from malicious animals or thieves. Watchmen were also placed on city walls to spy for any enemies trying to enter, prepared to send out an alarm at any instant.

What a lonely and tiresome job that must have been throughout the night hours. If you let your eyes close in heaviness for just an instant, the fate of the city could end in ruin. And an attack? Your fault. This is not a job I would have ever longed to have, and if I did have to work it, I can imagine I would be counting down the moments until morning light broke through the darkness.

In the same way, the Psalmist declares that He waits and longs for God even more than the watchman waits for morning. For the Father to show up and break through with His eternal light that scatters the darkness. For Him to do what He best… the miraculous.

I’m longing for the same today. Sometimes the darkness seems so vast and so dark that it’s easy to lose hope. But morning is coming, and it might even be breaking through right now in places we would never expect. The darkest place is where the light shines brightest, after all. Keep looking for the light and keep waiting for Him. But most of all, let’s keep longing for God Himself, even more than we long for His wonders.

For He is the wonder. His Word, the beauty.

And He’s promised to invade our lives with hope through His wonder and beauty if we simply let Him.

31 Days of Hope - Day 28

“Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” 

Psalm 121:4

As a mom, I’ve spent many nights laying next to a child of mine who is having a hard time relaxing or falling asleep. I lay nearby stroking his or her hair or back, speaking calming words or prayers over them while inwardly praying that they would give in to sleep that I know they desperately need.

I feel such a protection in reading this verse that it’s one I come back to over and over again. I think it’s because I have this mental picture of our Heavenly Father doing something similar over us.

When I’m laying next to my child and focusing on soothing and comforting them, I usually don’t fall asleep myself because I’m focused on meeting their current needs. But I’ll have to admit that there have been times when I’ve been so exhausted that I may have even fallen asleep before my sweet son or daughter did! (oops...)

The beauty of the promise found in this verse is that our Father would never do this with us. It is outside of His perfect nature to need rest the way we humans do. The all-sufficient all-Sovereign One never grows tired or weary. He never falls asleep while listening to us. He doesn’t need to rest, so He can protect us while we are resting.

When we know we have Someone watching over us at all times, we can leave our anxiety with Him and rest knowing He’s always on guard watching over us. We are always safe and held under the watch care of El Roi, the God who Sees.

Because of that, when He calls us to rest, we can freely and safely follow.

Book Review... Best Party Book Ever!

I recently had the chance to review The Best Party Book Ever, from the editors of FaithGirlz! and Girls' Life magazine.  Or should I say, I tried to take the time to review it, but my 9-year old daughter kept snatching it from me.  She absolutely loved this book and will be referencing it quite often in the future, I think.

With all sorts of creative ideas for themed parties, seasonal parties, or "just because" parties, this is the best party idea book I've seen for girls.  The illustrations are stunning, yet always portray modesty and beautiful, well designed art.  Along with ideas for games, recipes, decorations, and crafts, this book also focuses on the work that goes into the party, giving girls ideas on being a good hostess, finding their party style, and even dealing with friendship issues that may come up and party "blunders" they may have to deal with.  I particularly loved this part of the book, as this helps girls realize that there is more to a party than the actual events and gives them insight into these sometimes delicate issues that can occur within friendships and during parties.  Also included in the book are checklists and tips to guide readers.

I'm so glad I stumbled on this book and was able to review it, and like I said before, I know it's one we will reference repeatedly in the future.  I highly recommend it for moms of upper elementary/preteen girls.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

31 Days of Hope - Day 27

"I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in Your words." 

Psalm 119:147

Rising before dawn? I don’t know about you, but that’s quite a task for this usually tired mama.  I normally cherish the short amount of sleep I get these days, grasping for any extra moments and viewing them as sacred gifts. But I also crave my time with Jesus in the morning. If I miss it, there’s a huge difference in my attitude that day.  Ask my kids. They’ll be honest with you. :)

That's because I need Him. Desperately. Without Him I’m a total mess. And without Him I lose hope, because my hope comes from His Word. And that Word must be flowing in and out of me in order for it to take root and remain there throughout the rest of the day. Otherwise I quickly forget it, and I succumb to the crazy of life. I let the cares of this world take over my thoughts for the rest of the day.
 
So I wake up early – even if it’s not always before dawn, and I'm not fully awake yet.  And I cry out to Him.

For help.

For strength.

For His Word to fall over me like rain and bathe me in the rhythm of His grace before I turn to face all the cares of that day.

And He always meets me there, and offers hope that renews.

31 Days of Hope - Day 26

"This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." 

 Psalm 118:24

It's a popular verse you've probably heard. If you were raised in church, you probably even know the fun song that goes along with it.  You may be singing it in your head right now.  Or you may even be haunted by it a little as you remember the way you were "helped" out of bed in the morning as a kid, with your mother singing it cheerfully over you as you pulled the covers back over your head and begged for more sleep.  It's such a happy little tune.

But what about when life doesn't look so happy?  Does this verse apply then too? I, for one, think even more so.

You see, it's easy to rejoice and be glad when life is going pretty well for us.  We can look at the day we've been given and walk with a little spring in our step and a smile on our faces because things are good.

But when they aren't?  When it's a struggle to even get out of bed in the morning or get behind the wheel of the car to head out of the driveway, knowing the difficulties that await?  Well, that's when we need the reminder that even this day is God ordained.

Because He created this day, He knows what it holds for us.  He's aware of the difficult situations we will face in it.  He sees, and He guides.  And His sovereign presence gives us a reason to rejoice when pretty much none of the circumstances around us may seem to call for rejoicing and gladness.

It's a perspective shift from circumstances to Creator.  Furthermore, it's often a constant choice to rejoice when our present season of life doesn't seem to call for much rejoicing.

But it's a choice that is so very worth it.

31 Days of Hope - Day 25

“Because he loves Me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, 

for he acknowledges My name." 

 Psalm 91:14

God's promises... our source of hope.  When trouble swarms all around us, we have an anchor to keep our feet steady as we walk through unknowns.  He first gives us the wonder of Himself, and then He overwhelms our hearts with the beauty of His unfailing promises.

And so, with great assurance, we can cling tightly to His words.  We will be protected.  We will be rescued.  Maybe not in the way we think we should, but in the way He, as our loving Father, deems best.

Rescued through the storm, not always rescued from it.

Protected in His grasp, not always protected from experiencing hardship.

I for one want this.  I need this.  His protection and rescuing are the key to earthly survival.  But in turn, I'm reminded that I have a responsibility too.  I must love Him.  And I must acknowledge His name.   I can't hold back anything.  He must be first in my heart, and loving Him above all else, my priority.  His name must flow from my lips in acknowledgment that all that I have and all that I am is from Him.

It's not without a cost.  But the rewards of His deliverance and protection are far greater than anything I could ever sacrifice.  His love is richer.  His name is higher.

He is grander.

And He is enough.

31 Days of Hope - Day 24

"Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage."

Psalm 84:5

We are getting toward the end of this 31 day series, so there have obviously been a few things repeated as we've continued to focus on this theme of hope.  One is that this world is hard.  Anyone who has lived here for more than a few years will probably be able to agree to that.  Another is that hope is found in looking beyond this world.

Beyond what we can see to what is unseen.  

Beyond our circumstances to the One who controls the master plan.

When our hearts are set on pilgrimage, we recognize that we are on a journey.  This world we currently live in is not our home, but just a stop on the way.

So we live each day focused on what awaits, with our perspective fixed on the eternal instead of the temporal.  And we live with supernatural strength given to us to endure the trials and hardships of this world that we are currently passing through.

Living this way makes us blessed.  And I, for one, want to live under the blessing of my Father.  So I choose to keep my gaze heavenward.

Remember you are just passing through, fellow pilgrim.  There are far better things ahead.  Hang in there, dear sojourner.

The journey can be long and hard, but it will be worth it.

31 Days of Hope - Day 23

"So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked." 

 Psalm 73:16-17

It's an age old question, asked by most of us in difficult times... Where are You, God? Don't You see this tragedy? Don't You care? 

And if You do see, then why don't You do something about it?

I've asked those questions myself in the midst of tragedy, during times that make no sense at the time and still don't make sense today.  They probably never will.  The older I get, the more I come to the realization that some of our questions will never be answered here on this earth.

And yet... we have hope.  When we come into God's presence, our earthly problems that seem so huge fall to the dust, as we come to grips with His glorious grandeur.  As we reflect on Him, the things of earth do grow strangely dim.  The need for answers diminishes, and the need for more of Him and His presence becomes so much greater.

Today, if you are one of the ones asking some of those questions above, know you are not alone.  Deep down in most of our hearts, there's a wrestling for answers.  For justice.  We hide it sometimes, but it's still there... because He has made us with the desire for a world we aren't in yet, where peace prevails and wars and evil cease.

So for now, while our bodies live in this world, let's plant our hearts in His presence.

For it is only there that we will experience peace.

31 Days of Hope - Day 22

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." 

Psalm 68:19

This past spring, the kids and I read through the children's version of Pilgrim's Progress. Though the words were made simpler for children to comprehend, they were still powerful, as were the illustrations. I vividly remember the picture of Christian,, the main character, trudging with a huge burden on his back.  Then, the picture illustrating his freedom once his burden was lifted at the cross.

Though I believe the burden lifting in this book was meant to represent salvation, the image reminds me of how I often feel on a daily basis. Like I have all this excess weight to carry around with me. There are all of these troubles... worries... fearful thoughts... needs I have... that I carry around with me. I let them bog me down, unable to fully enjoy life and the joys I am also given to enjoy during the course of the day. Been there? Done that?

We all carry burdens, and we are all invited to lay these burdens down, whatever they are, and let our Heavenly Father carry them for us.

"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." -Psalm 55:22

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  -1 Peter 5:7

And when we do that, this verse brings us to praise! We don't have to struggle with them on our own any more.  We can experience joy, not because our troubles are gone, but because they are in safe strong hands. The hands that hold the world are holding your heart, and your burdens.

We praise You, Jesus.  You are good, and we can rest knowing You are carrying our burdens each day.

31 Days of Hope - Day 21

"Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge." 

 Psalm 62:8

The visual image of pouring something has become more of a reality to me now that I'm a mother living in a warm climate.  When my kids go outside to play, they come in totally parched.  "Mom, I'm so thirsty!" they all cry.   And so I pour.  And pour.  And pour.  Water cannot be consumed fast enough as the water level continues to go down and the pitcher continues to be used to pour water out into depleted cups.

I love this word "pour" when it comes to our relationship with our Father.  If He is our refuge, we are in a safe place with His loving strong arms around us.  If we are choosing to trust Him at all times, then I think the pouring out of our hearts will naturally be a result.  The gushing out of our words that we may not feel comfortable saying to anyone else. The deluge of secret thoughts that noone else knows.

We know our hearts are safe with Him, so we tell Him everything.  We cry out. We complain to Him.  We share our hopes and dreams.  We seek His guidance for the future.  We praise Him for His faithfulness in the past.

It's a continual outpouring of whatever is in our hearts - both the good and the bad, the ugly and the beautiful.  He knows every part of them anyway.  But He invites us to pour them out before the One who is all trustworthy and offers a safe refuge for us, as we journey through a turbulent world.

Whatever is going on in your heart today, you can pour it out to Him.  He knows and sees it all anyway.

It's November.

So... it's November. October just flew by with some travel and crazy mingled in with the blur. I tried to get all of my 31 posts done, but realized that if these were words I believe my Father gave me to share from my heart, then they couldn't always come on such a scheduled approach. Instead, they are on His time table.  Then when I saw that one of my favorite bloggers, Emily, posted her need to continue her 31 day challenge into November, and her sister - the creator of the challenge, none the less - is doing the same... well, I'm totally fine with stretching it out now. :)

I hope to continue the last 11 posts in this series over the course of the next two weeks, so I hope you will check back here for them. In the meantime, my heart has been preparing to usher in the month of November, and with it, the realization that the holidays are just around the corner. For someone who has been through loss and is trying to keep plugging along through a lot of hard when most everyone around seems happy and festive, the holidays can be a time when you just want to run for the nearest exit and hole away in your comfy little home until they are over. Or, they can be a greater reason to focus on the hope we have as an anchor for our souls because of Jesus. His love. His sacrifice. His securing of a future that is bright and free of pain and loss.

There are two ways that I have found so far that are helping me tremendously with that, and I want to share them here in case you are also trying to choose joy throughout the next couple of months.  You get that it can be easier said than done.  But it can be done.  Day by day.  Sometimes moment by moment.

First, Ann Voskamp's "thankful tree,"

Our family has done this for a few years now, but we used to just find a pack of paper leaves somewhere (which has been a challenge some years!).  I love how Ann's have verses of praise on them that can adorn your tree.  We just got all of our leaves cut out and can't wait to get started with one thing we each are thankful for each day for the entire month of November.  Go here to find them.

Second, Sara Hagerty, a new author that I seriously cannot get enough of right now, wrote an incredible book I just finished called Every Bitter Thing is Sweet.  She introduces a practice of adoring God, where she finds something about His character to dwell on each day.  I haven't been doing this for long, but already it has encouraged me so much to keep my eyes on Him more often and not on my circumstances.  She has printables to help her readers with this reflection, and you will just love them!  Go here to find them.

So... happy November, everyone.  No matter what we are facing right now in life, may we look back at the end of the month in gratitude not only for what He has done for us, but what He has done in us.