Hope Springs Eternal

Yesterday, the co-leaders of what was to have been our 2020 Women’s ACTS 4-day Retreat in April, met to catch-up. Obviously, our retreat didn’t happen, but we’re counting on a coast-is-clear later this year. We’re all still together in heart and spirit. Yes, I was disappointed about the six months of preparing for the retreat that didn’t happen, and I’ll admit I even shed a few tears. Amy’s son didn’t get to finish his last season of high school baseball and his graduation certainly didn’t look like the final year of high school as they had expected. Deb’s precious father passed away during this time after many trips back and forth to Houston to see him, but couldn’t because of the hospital’s COVID regulations. The funeral was on Facebook Live so we could ALL see the beauty of this Godly man who served with his whole being. Since we couldn’t go to Houston to celebrate his life with the family, we had this lovely stone made for her – perfect timing for Father’s Day.

Michelle brought us the other half of the wooden hearts that she gave us early on in quarantine, promising the other half when we’d see each other again. She didn’t disappoint. And, she made us laugh as she told us about the possums that made their home under their deck, who by the way can sure scream when her dogs got near. Here’s the aha about all these things that happened to us All these circumstances, that we’d like to blame on COVID-19, might have all happened anyway.

In the grand scheme of God’s ways, He is well aware of all our disappointments. I reminded us: “Thank God, for the hope we have in Him Who isn’t shaken by what is shaking us.” As I type this blog today, I think “Hope springs eternal!” I had to look that quote up to see where it came from. It turns out Alexander Pope, an 18th century English poet, wrote those wise words in "An Essay on Man".

But, does hope really spring eternal? Why do people continue to hope, even if there is no evidence indicating the outcome we desire will come to pass? May I say, unequivocally, that hope doesn’t just spring eternal, it finds its roots in an eternal place.
King Solomon wrote that God “has put eternity into man’s heart." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) That is why we cling to hope through tough times. Those who believe in God – just know. We know that God has something better in store for us. It’s that hope and trust that something good is going to happen.

We should never doubt that God is working many, many things out in our lives. Because hope springs eternal. Sometimes hope is hard to come by. Notice how the psalmist reminds himself to remember the good things God has done and to put his hope in God. We can do that, too! "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” (Psalm 42:1-8) God doesn’t tell us everything about our future, nor do we understand the bliss we will experience in heaven; instead, our blessing for now is to have hope, including the hope of heaven that springs eternal.

Just Breathe!

I’m a doer. I like to be busy. Just sitting around is not my ideal. My project today is getting my master closet cleared out of unused clothes and organizing for spring and summer. But, this day, I break up my project to breathe. I leave my bunker to socially-reconnect with the great outdoors and my girls. How sweet it is! They take me along for their kayaking adventure on Lake Lewisville. It is a beautiful day to be outdoors. I take a long walk while they have their kayaking fun. Staci put her busy-day, full-of-projects, aside also because Alexia wants us to “breathe” with her. Thank you, Alexia, for the reminder to just breathe.

Then I go to their home where Staci leads her EMnation group for a teleconference on Zoom. It makes my day to see those beautiful faces and hearing Staci's message about our attitudes during these times, as well as hearing the blessings these people are experiencing right in the midst of this C-virus crisis. And, to encourage each other.

On Monday, my ACTS retreat team sisters connected via Zoom also. Our retreat was canceled, but, hopefully, we’ll be back on in the Fall. In the meantime, we’re staying connected though apart. It’s a great way to encourage and support each other. Thank you, Lord, for technology that affords us this kind of opportunity to join together from our separate spaces. If our world is going to be turned upside-down – what a great age for it to happen – when we have so much technology to keep us apprised of what’s going on. We’re even enjoying “going-to-church” from the comfort of our homes.

But, sometimes – even better – when we disconnect ourselves from technology and just BREATHE in God’s goodness. I started this blog with the word “breathe”! Typically, just breathing is taken for granted – amidst our daily challenges. Yes, we're remedied by calculated thinking and purposeful elimination of unnecessary stress. But, it is different with this uncalculated and abrupt change to our “normal”. We’ve never had to face these challenges that we’re facing right now. Homeschooling, business from home, church on-line, disconnected from friends and loved ones, depression from isolation or a loss of income. AND, not being able to go to our loved ones in a nursing home or hospital or traveling by air to be with one who is critically ill.

Maybe you’re one that is facing these challenges today. Maybe you are overwhelmed by this tumultuous storm and nothing anyone says to lift you up makes you feel better. Breathe, sweet friends, breathe. Inhale Jesus and His peace. Exhale the fears and worries and concerns. Erma Bombeck said, “Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but you get nowhere!” There’s always hope and peace found in the midst of our storms because of He Who is our peace-maker, the storms eradicator and the comfort provider.

There’s an old song that goes “Mama said there’d be days like this”, and Jesus agreed with Mama when He said in John 16:33 “In the world, you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” He knew we’d face hard times, storms that dump buckets of troubles on us. But He also knew that’s why He came to this earth in the first place. He came to give us an abundant life, went back to heaven and He is ever-interceding for us to the Father.(Hebrews 7:25) And, even better, He is right here with us to help us survive the winds and waves!

So, breathe, sweet friends, breathe! Go outside for a walk in nature. Listen to the birds chirping. It really does seem that they’re chirping louder. Or, is it I’m listening more? Breathe, dear friends, breathe today and let God be God for you.