"Hope"

This past Saturday morning, I woke up hearing, "hope."  D and I were getting ready to drive up to the suburbs to see a house that GOD had placed in front of us.  When we got there, I was unsure, I didn't want to get my hopes up, but I felt confident in my faith that HE was going to answer yet another one of my bold prayers.  I was confident that HE would answer because after all, HE had already answered two out of three of my bold prayers.  This house was my final prayer from this past January.

In January it became very apparent to D and I that we desired a bigger home.  Not for just our family, but so that our home could be a place of fellowship and worship.  We wanted our home to be a place for people to come and receive JESUS' touch.  We wanted our home to be a place where they could find comfort, and peace.

For the past seven months D and I have been leaders of an amazing e-group (small group.)  It has been through this group that D and I have realized that we are called to the ministry of marriage.  When our group first started out we only had single mom's, and mom's who were soon to be single.  D and I were confused, but we trusted GOD and knew that HIS plans were far greater than ours.  Week after week, HE asked us to speak HIS truth in love to these amazing women.  D and I have learned so much through our time as leaders with this amazing group.

Throughout the past seven months I have realized that hospitality is very important to me.  I have realized that its not what you have in your home, its WHO you have in your home.  I never would have imagined just how quickly GOD would answer my prayers.  I am in awe of the love that HE has for us, and I am so thankful for the hope that HE gives us.

As I walked through the house this past Saturday, I began to envision our family living there.  I knew who would get which room, and just exactly where the furniture would go.  I envisioned D playing in the yard with our children, and my girls and I baking in the kitchen.  It felt like home to me, and I was sure that this was the home for us.

All throughout that day I kept hearing the word "hope."  As we left the house, the realtor said to us we will let you know on Monday what the owner decides.  On Sunday we served at church, and people began asking if we had found a house yet, and I was positive that we did.  However, I said, tomorrow we will know.  Please pray.

Monday afternoon rolled around and we had heard nothing.  So I text the realtor, and asked if they had made a decision.  Within ten minutes I received an email stating that the house was under contract.  The house had been rented out by someone who was able to pay a full years worth of rent up front.  Not only that they were able to pay even more than we could afford.  Soon after I received that email, I got the dreaded phone call.

As he spoke my eyes began to well up with tears, and a huge knot began to lodge itself in my throat.  I swallowed hard, and tried my best to make sense of what he was saying.   To say D and I were crushed would be an understatement.  The truth is, we were terrified.  Terrified, as we were only two weeks away from being homeless.  Our family was separated, and I was falling apart at the seams.

Still through all the craziness I kept hearing the word "hope."  Honestly, "hope" was the furthest thing from what I was feeling.  Fear was creeping in, and tears were falling non-stop.  My  head was hurting, and my eyes were burning, and my chest was pounding.  Again I was having another panic attack.   D had left just prior to the phone call, and said, "don't worry GOD'S got this!"  I knew he was scared too, but one of us had to keep it together.

Yesterday morning, I woke up hearing the word "hope."  By this time I began to say out loud, "show me GOD show me why I have hope."  I felt discouraged, and was rapidly losing hope that we would find a home.  However, HE quickly captured my heart once again, and began to change my heart, and reminded me of all the times that HE had been there for me.  HE reminded me of all the storms that HE had carried us through, and reminded me that HE loved me far too much to ever let me go.

I began my daily routine of taking care of my boys, and found myself sitting in front of my computer.  However, I knew I couldn't blog, as HE wasn't finished with me yet.  I knew something BIG was about to happen, only I didn't know how BIG it would be.

At 9:30 a.m. my phone rang.... it was the realtor to the house D and I had seen on Saturday.  He was calling to find out if D and I had found a house yet, and if we hadn't would be still be interested in that one.  Word's escaped me, and I barely got out the words, "yes."  I text D right after our conversation, and he text back, "is this for real?"

Last night at 8:30 p.m. I received a text from D that he had signed the lease, and the payment was made.  The house is ours!!!!  Today I woke up hearing the word "hope."  Today I could finally write about just what HIS hope means to me.

I have learned that if all I ever have is my "hope" in HIM, then I will have everything I need.  HE is teaching me that is through my "hope" for HIM that HE can, will, and does everything HE says HE will do, that I am able to grow in my faith.  I have learned that even when it feels like all hope is lost, HE is there, HE is waiting, and HE is ready to bless me beyond all measure.

HIS Daily Teachings today was to have me write about what HIS words in Jeremiah have meant in my life.

"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 hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Today I am finding myself so thankful, and grateful that HIS plans are far greater than I could have ever imagined.  Today I am overwhelmed by HIS love for me.  Today I am honored to serve HIM, and to speak HIS truth, and to love just as HE loves.  Today I am thankful to have had my heart captured up once again by my SAVIOR JESUS.  Today I am thankful that it is when I am falling apart at the seams, that HE is there, holding me up, and filling me up with HIS "hope."

I pray today that my journey of "hope" will be a living testament for you, so that you will know just what it means to have "hope."  I pray today that if you too have found yourself feeling "hopeless" that you will allow HIM to transform and renew your heart, and mind and be filled with HIS hope and HIS promise.  I pray today that you will surrender, and allow HIM to teach, lead, and guide you throughout your day.  I pray today that you will be filled with the "hope" that can only come from HIM.

Blessings,
Heather