Winter’s Deep Freeze Has Left the Branches Bare

      My hope has been placed in so many things, in so many people. I depended on circumstances, or well-thought-out plans, maybe a job, but most especially a particular person in whatever season of my life on which to hang my hope. If whatever I was hoping for would come to pass, then I knew I would be at peace and filled with joy.
     But time and again, whatever I had hoped in would bring satisfaction momentarily and then that situation  would either crumble or the person prove to be imperfect, human, unreliable. And like a blustery winter wind that strips the trees of their last autumn leaves, my hope would be ripped away once again.
     Sometimes, what I had hoped for would last for a season and I would snuggle into the comfort of having that which I most desired wrapped securely around me. However, while enjoying that one thing I had so hoped would yield peace and joy in my life, another problem would arise in my life. Now I was juggling two or more circumstances that needed to exist in my life so that I had hope.
     For a long time and through many people, the Lord has been pulling me toward the truth about HOPE.
In Him alone will I find a steady HOPE. A HOPE that will not waver with the circumstances in my life nor the people or seasons of my life. It will not be easy to let go of my other hopes. And it will not be pain free. I will cry as I realize what I so desired to give me hope is just a passing vapor. And I will struggle as I still fight to hang my hope on that which can never satisfy.
     In Him alone is my HOPE.

     “Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my HOPE comes from him.
     He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
     My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
     Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” 
     Psalm 61:5-8 NIV

     The leaves of autumn may have been blown away with my dreams, but may my soul rest in God alone for He is my HOPE.

     How have you found Hope? In the darkest pit or on the mountaintop?

     
    Still Counting the Gifts and Joys as I keep my eyes on the real Hope:

 937) Hugs and compassion from oldest son
 938) Insight from the Lord on how to help the kids I teach
 939) Joy internal~not caused by outward circumstances
 940) Freezing temps and wrapped in coats, scarves and gloves that resembled “Nanook of the North”
 941) Bare branches stripped of last weeks autumn leaves stand stark but strong against the blue sky
 942) Seeing teachers from my old school
 943) Answered prayer in hearing from the Ombudsman of my son’s ship~peace of mind
 944) An email at last from our youngest son who is deployed on a Navy vessel
 945) Visiting with friends
 946) Two solid nights of sleep
 947) Lord, your Word, Your Peace, Your Love that turned my bitter heart around