SEASONS OF HOPE

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Every year I create a calendar for our family and friends. I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember. For the past few years, I have been blessed to include the stunning photography of my cousin, Gary. His beautiful images have inspired so many words.

This year, I felt it was particularly important to focus on hope, especially in times of grief and hardship. Our family has endured both the losses of loved ones and also the same struggles that so many of us are facing in these trying times. Feelings of hopelessness and despair often overwhelm us. Yet, it is in those very moments that God calls on us to turn to Him. He has promised us that in every storm we face, He is our shelter. In every moment of darkness, He is our light. In every trial, He alone is our refuge.

As we are reminded in Isaiah 40:31, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” God’s love for us is so magnificent and His desire for our good so abiding that no matter what lies before us, we are sheltered by His strength and covered by His faithfulness.

We were never promised a life without pain, but we were promised that we would never be alone in the storm.