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 A collective reflection on Hope, Peace, Joy, and LoveSunday, December 1, 2024 |
| Hope and Expectation Isaiah 7:14, Psalm 130:5 God keeps his promises; he is faithful to his people to come among them. In Isaiah 7:14, we see an ancient prophecy and promise of God spoken: Immanuel, “God is with us.” His presence was given during a time of great battle. The same Spirit of God inspires our reflection of hope across all of time. In the days of Isaiah, during the days Jesus walked the earth, and in our lives today, God is with us. I know he keeps his promises because I have received them. He is faithful to his people. I have heard your stories to confirm that. He still comes among us; we have felt his presence. God is with us. My heart was full of hope. While we stood in a place of waiting, God was with us. My family and I were full of hope as we waited for the judge to make the most significant decision of our lives. It seemed like I’d been in a place of waiting my entire life. Every time I thought I might be with child, my heart secretly yearned for the miracle of life. And yet, my whole being waited for the Lord, and in his word, I quietly held on to hope. I remember the day I humbly said to God, “If you ever know anyone in trouble or in need of help, think of us.” We wanted to share our lives with a child who would experience unconditional love. Through birth, marriage, adoption, or all three, I held on to hope as my whole being waited for the Lord. Years later, the call came, the invitation of a lifetime. Would we consider becoming parents by adopting an unborn baby? What a remarkable God we have; he is faithful to his promises! On that day, the judge came from his chambers and blessed us with a seal of adoption. It was an adventure we took together, learning to trust that God was with us in the storm and in the calm. He rescued us all in one fell swoop. I’m so thankful we trusted him in the waiting. I am grateful for each time we held our breath in hopeful, eager anticipation. As we begin this season of Advent, what are you hoping for in God’s presence? By Shelly Huston PRAYER FOR TODAY We offer our hearts to you, God. Renew us with a fresh sense of hope and expectation. We seek you. We trust you. We put our hope in you. We long for a fresh awareness of you moving in our lives today. We commit to doing what you’ve called us to do. We trust you in the waiting and stand grounded in your love. |
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