Ah, Spring. With it comes a freshness, a renewal of sorts. All seems right with the world when you look at it through the eyes of spring. New life, new hope.

Hope? What’s that? Maybe you’re feeling more discouraged than hopeful. Yes, I’ve felt that way myself. In fact, just yesterday I felt so sad I cried for hours. And that’s not like me, not these days anyway. I was overcome with emotion, mainly over things that hadn’t worked out as I’d hoped they would. Hoped? There’s that word again.

I love Romans chapter 8. It’s my go-to when I am feeling unsure of God’s love and forgiveness. I encourage you to read through it, but for now, I’m going to single this out:

“Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. ” Romans 8:24,25

Oh, yes, patience. Now there’s a tough one!

But this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:21-24

Things don’t always work out as we planned. Life isn’t easy, but it is the only one we’ve got! So let’s not let go of hope. Sometimes, just hanging on for one more day can make all the difference.
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Here is my prayer for all of us today, Psalm 33:20-22:

Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.

Have a blessed and beautiful spring day!

Carolyn

“Life isn’t easy. Together we can make it better.”