Hey everyone,
We all know life can be challenging, to say the least, and that it's easy to feel the weight of the world pulling down at us like an anchor.
I often wonder if I'll be single forever, and as much I try to say, "Well Lord, if that's your will..." I can't pretend I don't have moments where I'm not exactly happy with that thought.
However, I do know that some things make me feel a little better and one of them is Jeremiah 29:11--"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Thoughts of good and not of evil... plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE."
It's easy to dismiss God's promises for us when we read or hear about them everyday in our Bible studies, churches, devotions, etc. But what actually makes you feel like you are experiencing God's for your life? Here are a few things that make me not just hear or read about it, but actually FEEL God's hope as well:
1. Getting up early at the beginning of a great sunrise and going for a long walk... It gives me a chance to clear my head and pray. I am also always amazed at the variety of things like trees and flowers that God has given us... and seeing these things always makes me smile.
2. Making someone laugh. I often wonder what makes God laugh as well. I was once on a long drive and praying in my car when a favorite worship song came on the radio...and I told God, "Oops! Sorry, God, I'll be right back, I have to go and sing this song to you so that I can talk to you... Be back in a minute." Then I thought about how funny that must have sounded... and I suspect that maybe God was laughing at me!
2. Spending time with or talking to my parents. I am adopted, and knowing that God chose such amazing people to put up with all my quirks and difficulties gives me hope that maybe one day, He'll choose an amazing person as my other half in this life as well.
3. Watching people be kind to one another. As I was coming home from work one day, I started to slowly pass a group of about 4 young boys on their bikes. They ranged in age from probably 4-7, but what REALLY made me smile is that I could clearly see the oldest boy taking the lead and telling all the younger ones to be careful, get behind him, and stay to the side of the road because a car was coming. This totally melted my heart, that this little boy would take it upon himself to care for and look out for the younger ones.
It made me think to myself, "WOW, God, there MUST still be goodness in this world, right??!!"
What about all of you? What things remind you that not everything in life is bad... and that God's love and hope still exists? (And can be witnessed in your everyday life!)
We all know life can be challenging, to say the least, and that it's easy to feel the weight of the world pulling down at us like an anchor.
I often wonder if I'll be single forever, and as much I try to say, "Well Lord, if that's your will..." I can't pretend I don't have moments where I'm not exactly happy with that thought.
However, I do know that some things make me feel a little better and one of them is Jeremiah 29:11--"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Thoughts of good and not of evil... plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE."
It's easy to dismiss God's promises for us when we read or hear about them everyday in our Bible studies, churches, devotions, etc. But what actually makes you feel like you are experiencing God's for your life? Here are a few things that make me not just hear or read about it, but actually FEEL God's hope as well:
1. Getting up early at the beginning of a great sunrise and going for a long walk... It gives me a chance to clear my head and pray. I am also always amazed at the variety of things like trees and flowers that God has given us... and seeing these things always makes me smile.
2. Making someone laugh. I often wonder what makes God laugh as well. I was once on a long drive and praying in my car when a favorite worship song came on the radio...and I told God, "Oops! Sorry, God, I'll be right back, I have to go and sing this song to you so that I can talk to you... Be back in a minute." Then I thought about how funny that must have sounded... and I suspect that maybe God was laughing at me!
2. Spending time with or talking to my parents. I am adopted, and knowing that God chose such amazing people to put up with all my quirks and difficulties gives me hope that maybe one day, He'll choose an amazing person as my other half in this life as well.
3. Watching people be kind to one another. As I was coming home from work one day, I started to slowly pass a group of about 4 young boys on their bikes. They ranged in age from probably 4-7, but what REALLY made me smile is that I could clearly see the oldest boy taking the lead and telling all the younger ones to be careful, get behind him, and stay to the side of the road because a car was coming. This totally melted my heart, that this little boy would take it upon himself to care for and look out for the younger ones.
It made me think to myself, "WOW, God, there MUST still be goodness in this world, right??!!"
What about all of you? What things remind you that not everything in life is bad... and that God's love and hope still exists? (And can be witnessed in your everyday life!)
