Plans of Hope

Hope: "Not living in denial or escapism. Rather, to be looking fully and honestly at the circumstances that I can see, but choosing to live in those circumstances based on the realities that I know are there but can not see. In other words: Remembering the realities that I don't see in the midst of those I do see." ~~Shirley Mullen

I want increasing hope. Not pretending that the reality of my circumstances don't exist, or that I don't even recognize what all the implications are of those specific circumstances.

But to see those circumstances, and then to strain to a higher level of remembering all of the realities of my circumstances that I can not see and choosing to live in the realm of those instead... promises from God.

Jer. 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a Hope and a future."

I was reminded of the circumstances that this verse is tucked into the middle of.  So often it can be neatly removed from it's place forgetting the setting in which it was promised.

Israel was in exile.

Exile: "Any place you've been taken that you don't want to be". 

A false prophet was giving them the hope of return in just 2 years. And then comes along Jeremiah... prophesying not just 2 years, but in fact 70 years!

In the midst of what must have been despairing news and awakening reality, God then includes this great promise.  He has plans...not of harm but instead of prosperity, of hope, of a future.

In their exile they had NOT been forgotten. Even there He was mindful. But even MORE than mindful. He had plans.

Plans.  Already in place.  Established.  Ready. He was at work and they would be the beneficiaries of His work.  His plan.

And even better... His work?  His plan?

It. Was. Good!

Reminding myself that what I see around me is not the whole story!

Hope: "Remembering the realities that I don't see in the midst of those I do see." ~~Shirley Mullen

Genuine Faith Indeed

"Trusting...
even when it appears you have been forsaken;

Praying...
when it seems your words are simply entering a vast expanse where no one hears and no voice answers;

Believing...
that God's love is complete and that He is aware of your circumstances, even when your world seems to grind on as if setting its own direction and not caring for life or moving one inch in response to your petitions;

Desiring...
only what God's hands have planned for you;

Waiting...
patiently while seemingly starving to death, with your only fear being that your faith might fail --

'This is the victory that has overcome the world';

This is genuine faith indeed."


~From the "Streams in the Desert" reading for today.  

I John 5:4 "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith."

The Edge of the Earth

 *  My husband is working 60+ hours a week.

*  We're selling my husband's business with me returning to work FT this month.

*  Next year's schooling for our daughter is decided.  We are turning to a completely different approach and focus due to her specific needs.

* A 5 page typed proposal outlining our newly defined approach and focus with supporting research and resources has been presented to both schools that we are a part of (private and public).  Praise the Lord for approval from both.  Now to designing the day to day curriculum...

*  Our 15 year old son is reading and studying the driver's manual.  Need I say more?!

*  3 days were spent with 2 friends from church in Columbus, OH at a women's conference.  While there I was able to connect with a best friend from college I hadn't seen in 15 years.  The entire trip... what a blessing!

*  I've lost 16 pounds since March.  While that may not sound like much to some, for me it has been monumental.  It has been much more of a spiritual journey for me than just a physical one.  Seriously, life changing.
~~~~~~~~~

Putting all of this onto one page like this makes it sound so concrete.  So matter of fact. So "no big deal".

However, with these situations... my heart has been affected.  Questions asked.  Time given.  Soul's searched.  Loss grieved.  Issues tackled.  Reality recognized.  Surrender offered.

Not easy.  I will be the first to admit to that.  Far from easy.

But the lessons I'm learning and the truth I'm discovering in the journey?  Oh so good.
 ~~~~~~~~~~
These things are just the beginnings of what I have been encountering the last few weeks.

I share all of this to assure you... I am still clinging to the edge of the earth even though it may seem that I have fallen off.

I do plan to return to more regular posting as soon as my edge of the earth moves a bit farther away from it's current location and stops spinning quite as quickly.  

I've been missing our time to chat!  So tell me, what is happening on your "edge of the earth"? 

(Note to self:   Hhhmmm... I wonder if anyone is even still hanging around?...)