The Smile of Hope
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“I say this because I know what I am planning for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” Jeremiah 29:11
God smiled upon my day. The clouds broke into sunshine and the rain moved out of the area. Spring flowers were in bloom, and the trees clapped their leaves in the breeze. All of nature was alive and yes, this added to my happy day. But hope was what filled my heart.
The first smile was the hope of Heaven to come and release a dear one from the bond of dementia that has ravaged her mind and body. It was praying with her that God would grant her mercy and receive her soon into Heaven. She loves Jesus with her whole heart and is so ready to go be with Jesus. My prayer was a prayer of hope and belief that in Heaven my friend will be whole again and live forever. I prayed for her to keep turning the eyes of heart to Jesus and Jesus would take her home. Our hope was real because we both believe in Heaven.
The evening was filled with an abundance of smiles as hope was fulfilled. My friend, Tamara had experienced the death of her beloved husband and after several years of being alone she wanted to share life again with a partner. Her dating experiences were never hopeful, but they were definitely entertaining to listen to. She wondered if she would ever meet someone she could enjoy life with again. Keith had lost all hope of finding someone to share life with after experiencing hurt and rejection. Then God brought them together. It was definitely God because their second “date” was going to Church together. Hope turned into reality.
I had the privilege of officiating at their wedding which filled my heart with joy. I was so happy to see two people who had experienced loss and hurt, now find love in this new season of life. In their vows they promised to “enjoy the adventures God has for them together.” That is hope. They want to live and experience what God places in front of them, not just work and exist. Each day is a gift. Each day they ask – “What’s our adventure for today?”
Hope is what you long for even when it seems impossible. Life hurts and relationships break and death happens. Many times, we have no choice and are left to figure out how to put the pieces of our lives together again. They will go together differently and life will never look exactly the same. But that does not mean you cannot enjoy life and find a new direction. God promises that He will give us hope and a good future.
The ultimate hope is Heaven. Those of us who have experienced the death of a loved one, place our hope and faith in the promises that our loved ones are now living in Heaven. While we will always grieve and miss them here on earth, we know they are living in Heaven with Jesus and someday we will join them. We also know that we need to live here on earth in this different life. We both are living.
Hope is about the future, but it is also about living now in the adventures and experiences God has for us. Hope involves trust. It is believing life has purpose and joy, and it is trusting in a loving God who has these gifts planned for us. Life is sharing this trust with someone who is excited to live in this hope.
I am choosing to smile every day. Yes, life is hard and has pain and struggles and diagnoses and traumas that hurt. But life also has hope when you put your trust in God. Death happens. Love never ends. We still have life to live here on earth. Don’t give up. We are to live not just exist. Find life again. Tamara and Keith found hope and life and adventure, and I am blessed to be a part of it.
Hope is the belief that good will happen. It is the expectation that God is at work in our world and in our lives. Hope knows God is good. God is with us. Hope is moving closer and closer each day to Jesus. Hope is trusting God has it and you do not need to worry or be anxious about anything. Hope is believing God works everything out for His purpose. Hope is knowing that whatever happens, God will someday take you to live with Him in Heaven. Hope is taking the step into life everyday knowing God is already there.
Smile. God has you. Enjoy the adventure called life. Find the good. Remember God is good. God loves you.
Check out my books on Amazon –
Living In The Different
Live Different Moments
Life Lessons of A Lone Trooper
