Sincerely Hopeful

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

What are you hoping for today?
A world that is returned to its once “normal” form of life? Gathering with friends, family, communities of persons at graduation, birthday, anniversary, and other celebrations to commemorate a joyous occasion? Or perhaps you are desiring to return to work and see familiar faces of team-mates. We live in a time of daily change, watching and waiting sometimes patiently, sometimes cautiously, sometimes with great frustration. Thankfully, the joy and hope that we have is found in our spirit. This joy is increased when it is shared with others through random acts of kindness.  Perhaps this is in chalk messages on a sidewalk or fence, a bunch of painted rocks at the park, the sharing of a wave across the trail with a muffled greeting through a mask. Or perhaps it is walking this journey with neighbors through e-mail, calls, standing 6 feet apart while “checking-in.” We are told the second great commandment is to: “love you neighbor as yourself.”

During this stressful time, the hope and joy we have and share with our neighbors may be expressed differently but it is still a necessary part of loving neighbors. We are told to love our neighbor as ourselves. As states have started the re-opening process we are called to pray for Godly wisdom and new ways to be joyful, patient and faithful to our calling as God’s people. Our calling has not changed, as we reach out to offer a warm greeting, smiling eyes above a mask, a wave across a trail. We continue to look for positive methods to influence the life we are living today. Each day as the sun rises, there is hope that God is at work, He is fulfilling His promise to “never leave us or forsake us!”  
For You For Today…
What are you hoping for? Who is God calling you to pray for? Are there people that you see every day to lift in prayer? As our nation and our world continues to struggle against COVID19 may we all be on bended knee praying for the most vulnerable. May we all ask God’s protection and mercies for each day through each of us!