Tripping Over Typeset

We’ve had 3 days of sunshine and I might just burst out of my skin!

This is what happens when you live in an area that is right below Seattle for cloud-covered days in an average year.

We get excited about the sun and soak it in as much as we can.

It’s been a cold spring and incredibly wet. I mean soaking ground, squishy mud wet. It’s a spring where I wonder if training my dog to do her business inside instead of outside just might be worth it just to save me from the mud I’m cleaning up numerous times a day. But then again ain’t nobody got time for that… nor the patience.

Spring reminds us that life does get better.  The sun does come out again.

After long winter months, warm sunshine comes again to awaken life.

Daffodil bulbs begin popping up through the soil and I’m reminded that blooms will come.

Yesterday in the hope of more sunny days I hung my wind chime and listened for sounds of spring.

I was reading this morning in 2 Thessalonians 2:16 and was reminded that in the midst of our day, whether the sun shines or not, God is with us.

Because some days, we feel alone. Some days we feel we’re not going to make it. Some days we’re tired and we just need a hand to lift us up.

It’s on those days I need this reminder.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.”  ~~~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16

I don’t know where you find yourself today…

• maybe you’re at a crossroads. Decisions need to be made and you know either way it’s going to be tough…. may God encourage your heart.
• maybe you’re facing a huge financial mountain and trusting God for your provision is the mountain you must climb… may God encourage your heart.
• maybe your heart is hurting and you feel swallowed up… may God encourage your heart.

Because in the midst of it all we can trust Him to give us what we need.

When we put our hope in Him, He doesn’t fail us.

Has spring sprung?

I hope so. I hope we’re through with ice and cold temps. I hope the winter snow stays away for another 8 months. I hope the sun keeps shining and the days grow warmer. I hope the ground solidifies and the mud turns to lush green grass.

I hope — We hope — because hope gives us something to hold onto.

It’s like the flowers I set out on my table. Our ground is too cold for flowers right now but the flowers inside give me hope of flowers to come.

The flowers remind me that more sunny days will come. The hardy bulbs will break through the ground and bloom again. Sure, we’ll have days when the sun will hide behind clouds and the cold of life will nip at our skin but spring will come and we’ll bloom again!

So today, I pray you find hope in knowing God will bring you through.  I pray no matter where you find yourself, you will see signs of new life.

 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 (NIV)

Have a super, sun-shiny day!

~~~ Rachel