8:30 a.m.
Whew. I just came from the furnace room. I’ve been trying to clean up the water faster than it’s coming into the basement. Just trying to stay ahead of it. From our hilltop, the valley below looks like a series of lakes. The creek has broken its boundaries and fields are flooded. The thunder didn’t wake me last night, but I did hear the pounding of the rain.
It’s dark back there in the furnace room, even with a light overhead.
Took a break. Needed a cup of coffee. The sun is shining! Really…I see sunbeams.
Anyone else standing at my kitchen window right now would probably think I’m crazy. The clouds are still there. It’s a gray, drowned, soggy morning. Most eyes wouldn’t, couldn’t see any hint of sunshine.
But my eyes just came from the furnace room. And yes, I definitely see sunlight.
Hope is like that. Hope has eyes that can look through what seems impenetrable, beyond what seems impossible, into another dimension of our world.
TWO HOURS LATER…
Here’s something interesting: I’m no longer seeing those rays of sunshine. No, I don’t think the skies have changed much in the last few hours. But I haven’t been back in the dark furnace room battling the invading water, either.
Are those who are most in need of hope the ones who understand it best? Are those who have experienced the darkest times the ones who have eyes to see the rays of light?
King David, who saw so much anguish and trouble in his life, is also one who writes most eloquently about hope. In the midst of all his troubles, he repeats with certainty that all of his hopes rest with God, God’s love always surrounds His people, God knows the hopes of the helpless and comforts them, God shelters His people and never abandons them.
A question for you. Can you believe what the Bible says? Will you believe what the Bible says? (OK, so maybe that’s two questions.) If you say Yes to those questions, then start reading, knowing that this is God’s word to you, His child, and listen for His assurances, for His promises to you, for His love and comfort.
It doesn’t matter what specific thing you’re desperately needing today—whether it’s strength to get through a tough situation, hope for a relationship shipwrecked by conflict, healing for your own heart, reassurance from the Father—God knows your hopes. He knows what you need. He’s already given you His word. His love surrounds you.
From the book of Lamentations (most appropriately named!):
is bitter beyond words.
I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:
The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
The LORD is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
If you believe this, then depend on Him. Search for Him. And…
Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-23,25 (NLT), Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Living with great expectation ... 
I have to admit, I was feeling a little blue today. I loved listening to the rain and thunder all night, but this morning, it just appeared so dreary. In the middle of the day, I was driving back from a client’s home and suddenly the tears came. I thought they were gone. Tears for a friend who was once a major part of my life but no more. Where did that come from? I called on God and he heard me. I am looking for those rays of sunshine. I know that I need to concentrate on what God wants for my life. What does God want me to do today? What does he want me to dwell on and spend my time on today? I pray too that the eyes of my heart be enlightened so that I know the hope to which He has called me. God is good and meets all of my needs. I love you Lord!!
Today would be the sixth birthday of our little grandson, Gavin. When I think back on that very, very sad day, the day we knew that there was not a heartbeat, and then the day we greeted him, loved him, and left him go until some time in the future, it does seem dismal as this day’s weather was.
But the bright spot of hope, like the rays of sun you spoke about, is the knowledge that soon, perhaps very soon, we will be in heaven and can renew that relationship.
The bright spot of hope comes in knowing that God does all things well; He is our ENCOURAGER, our COMFORTER, the LOVER of our soul. He does not leave us alone to muddle through this life. He brings joy to our journey, even alongside the heartache.
What He has done in the past gives me hope for the future.
TRULY, His love never ends, His mercies never fail…
Thanks, Kathy … THIS was encouraging to ME.