Imagine the Hope

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” – the things God has prepared for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV)

But as the Scriptures say, “No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” – (1 Corinthians 2:9, ERV)

But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart all the things God prepared for those who love Him. – (1 Corinthians 2:9, VOICE)

In my lifetime thus far, I have beheld the incredible beauty of God’s creation in numerous places around the globe. I have heard singing that moved my heart and mind to the incredible majesty of our Maker, and I have imagined a place where peace, love and joy abound and pain and sorrow are no longer found; yet, my experience and imagination do not even begin to compare to that which lies ahead. God has prepared a place for all who love and call on His Name, to join with Him for forever. This is what brings peace and comfort in seasons of loss or seeming hopelessness. Though we may not see it now, there is a place that has been prepared for us that is beyond our wildest dreams. Beloved friends and family members who have gone before me, are already there. Despite the grief from loss in the here and now, there is such hope, peace, comfort and joy in what is promised for eternity. May we ever seek to learn and grow in our love for the Lord, as He reveals more and more of who He is and how His love shall not end. His promised future for us is hope that we can cling to, no matter how the here and now appear.

Lord, show us the hope,

That is found in You;

Forever granted,

To all who love true.

The seeking shall find,

True joy that is found;

Blessed assurance,

Great faith that abounds.

Imagine a place,

A future so bright;

No sorrow or grief,

Just joy and delight.

The lasting presence,

Of God up above;

Preparing a place,

Abounding in love.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have prepared a place for all those who love You that exceeds our wildest imaginations. Thank You that the beauty and majesty that we have seen, heard and imagined, pales in comparison to all that lies ahead. Forgive us for losing sight of the hope we have in You. Teach us to trust the journey we are on, ever holding fast to all that lies ahead. Show us how to love those around us in ways that give glimpses of the hope that is found in forever with You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we set our entire being on loving You and those You have placed around us with hope securely set in our hearts. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

To See Hope

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. – (Hebrews 11:1, NIV)

Faith is what makes real the things we hope for. It is proof of what we cannot see. – (Hebrew 11:1, ERV)

Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen. – (Hebrews 11:1, TPT)

Our confidence must be in Christ, for it is through Him that we have hope and see that which is unseen become reality. Hope is desperately needed for so many, as the next few weeks and months hold much uncertainty. We must find faith and seek the Lord, for He is the hope in which we can trust. May we trust in Him, who is our hope, and have faith in that which is yet unseen.

May we seek You, Lord,

In confident trust;

For all that’s unseen,

That You have for us.

Lead us to listen,

To seek and to look;

For our hope is found,

In You and Your book.

Please grant us Your eyes,

To see beyond now;

For there is much more,

Past our fear and doubt.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that faith brings hope into reality. Thank You that You are doing so much more than we can see or imagine. Forgive us for our fear and doubt. Teach us to see Your hope, even in the seemingly impossible situations. Show us how to love those around us in such a way, that they too may discover the faith in You that makes hope visible. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we look to You to show us how to place our hope in You, no matter what we see. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

Patient Hope

But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – (Romans 8:25, NIV) 

But we are hoping for something we don’t have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently. – (Romans 8:25, ERV) 

So because our hope is set on what is yet to be seen, we patiently keep on waiting for its fulfillment. – (Romans 8:25, TPT) 

Hope is that beautiful space within us that believes and trusts that what is promised, the things that are longed for, will one day be fulfilled or come to pass. Our ultimate hope, the very thing we long for and have been promised, is an eternity in heaven if we choose believe and receive all that the Lord is offering. We have a lifetime to wait for it, yet it is hope worth holding. Hope is housed in that which is yet to be seen. In pregnancy, though the season of waiting feels long, especially near the end, the patient waiting is well worth the hope that has been held, when at last the newborn child is placed in one’s arms. Currently, one of my hopes that I am waiting for is to have a puppy that will listen and not be bitey. Though I don’t always see the well-mannered, obedient puppy yet, I have hope that with training and patience, what I desire most for our sweet Thor, will be realized. Incredibly, in the same way that I see glimpses of good behavior and obedience in our puppy, God grants us glimpses of His glory. All of creation reflects His beauty and majesty, reminding us of all that is yet to come. May we hold fast to the hope we have in Jesus, as He is faithful to all His promises. 

Anticipation, 

With patience, we wait; 

The Lord is faithful, 

Grows hope as we pray. 

All that He’s promised, 

Will soon come to pass; 

The Lord’s never late, 

He hears what we ask. 

God brings us beauty, 

Where ashes once stood; 

His love never ends, 

His promises, good. 

Let us choose to seek, 

It’s how hope is found; 

Patience, persistence, 

God’s glory surrounds. 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we can hold fast to the hope we have in You, for Your promises are true and You are faithful to fulfill as that You say You will do. Forgive us for our lack of patience when the fulfillment is a longer wait than we think it should be. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would patiently wait for all of the good that is yet to come. Show us how to love those around us well, so that they may recognize Your goodness and grace through how we love like You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we hold onto hope, and patiently wait for all that is yet to come. Amen. 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

Pleased with Good Plans

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” – (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.” – (Jeremiah 29:11, ERV)

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

 

As I continue to move forward throughout this month with a heart turned toward intentional gratitude, I am overwhelmed with thanks that God’s plans go far beyond what we see at any given moment. So often, we have to walk through dark spaces to truly appreciate the glory of the light that is waiting on the other side. His plans are good. God grants us hope and a future that is eternal. Not only does He bless us here, but He holds our eternity in His hands. Each season in my life that I have walked through that has been difficult, or seemingly devastating, has led to a new season of hope and beauty and blessing. It is through the trials and challenges and heartaches that we see, know and understand the enormity of the blessed hope we hold in the future as it unfolds. God is good and He has good plans for us that include a hope and a future. May we ever give Him thanks for our lives through His lens, rather than our own.

Mom, though she has moments of frustration and heartache over what was lost, she also holds fast to the hope and promise of a future that is good. God has good plans for her too. We are beyond grateful that her life was spared, and that she is doing well and fighting hard on this journey to recovery. Today, I am hopeful to catch up with both mom and my sister, and discover all of the new that has taken place and that lies ahead.

 

With a thankful heart,

Gratitude I raise;

A future and hope,

In Christ, ours always.

His plans, they are good,

Even in our mess;

God ever is near,

To help and to bless.

Give thanks to the Lord,

All praise for His grace;

For hope we can hold,

Today and always.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we have a hope and a future in You. Thank You that Your plans for us are good. Thank You that You come near and walk beside us through our darkness and show us the beauty of Your incredible light. Forgive us for losing sight of the hope in what lies ahead with You. Teach us to trust Your plans, even when we cannot see or imagine how our circumstances could possibly lead to good. Show us how to love and encourage those around us so that they too, may see light and hope and love, even in difficult spaces. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we give You all of our thanks and praise for Your faithfulness to be present and have a good plan for our lives. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:5

Rooted in Hope

Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior; and my hope is in You all day long. – (Psalm 25:5, NIV)

Guide me and teach me Your truths. You are my God, my Savior. You are the One I have been waiting for. – (Psalm 25:5, ERV)

Lead me; teach me; for You are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in You. – (Psalm 25:5, TLB)

 

This is a critical reminder when we walk through difficult seasons. We must be led and guided by truth; rooted in our hope in God, who is our salvation. Circumstances change, situations ebb and flow, and emotions are not trustworthy. Even the people whom God gifts to us, are not who we are to place our trust upon. Yes, we can appreciate their presence as they walk beside us, but ultimately, we must rely on God. Today, as I prepare to head home for six days, the longest stretch I have been home in more than six weeks, I have to allow God to lead and teach me, and place my hope and trust in Him. When I arrive home, I will have one evening to spend with my husband before he leaves for a week-long motorcycle trip with some of his best buddies. The trip has been planned for six months, and it is important that he goes. For me, it is a bit heartbreaking to not have time with my husband, yet I have to recognize that my boys need their mom, and the time that we will have, just the three of us, is likely a much-needed gift. Also, I will finally have time with my best friend, who will be home the entire time. God knows what we need, and I trust that He will use the time the way that is best. I will be able to teach the final three days of the school year, and worship together with my church family on Sunday. Sadly, my running bestie will be in Belize, leading a team of nurses as she orchestrates a blood drive and various village outreaches, yet again, I know that there is a plan waiting for me.

As for mom, yesterday was a bit of a recovery day. In the morning, she was greeted by a quick visit from her best friend. We had quite a leisurely few hours, prior to her first in-home visit by the nurse, so it was a mellow morning. The doctor called to let us know the findings from the heart monitor. Thankfully, the results removed the mystery surrounding mom’s stroke, and provide clearer guidance as to how to actively prevent any further such occurrences. Answers aid in annihilating fear, and help us find footing to forge forward in faith. Another dear friend of mom’s stopped by for a quick visit and hug after lunch, and by the time she left, mom was ready for a solid siesta. Physical therapy took on a whole different look in the late afternoon, as mom is a morning person, and that time of day was not ideal. Victor was excellent at encouraging and adapting, and adjusted the exercises she worked on to meet her where she was at, and she finished the session feeling phenomenally successful. Her strength in her right leg is increasing daily, and it is incredible to watch her recognize what she is capable of doing.

May God guide us in His truth and teach us His ways; as He is our hope forever.

 

Grow where you’re planted,

Flowers from mom’s yard. Hope planted in faith… ❤

Find hope each new day;

For God’s word is truth,

And He lights the way.

We must trust in Him,

And not what we see;

Now is a moment,

Not eternity.

Trust that there is good,

Though it seems unclear;

For God is greater,

His presence is near.

God’s ways are higher,

Than what we might think;

He’s our safe harbor,

When we fear we’ll sink.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You guide us and teach us, and that You are our Savior and our hope. Thank You that hope is not dependent on what we see nor feel, but rather on who You are. Forgive us for losing sight of the truth. Teach us to trust You more, especially when we are hoping in things other than You. Show us how to love those around us in a way that shares hope in spaces where it is absent. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to guide us and teach us, trusting You to be our hope alone. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. – Proverbs 3:6

Acknowledge and Take to Heart

Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. – (Deuteronomy 4:39, NIV)

So today you must remember and accept that the Lord is God. He is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other god! – (Deuteronomy 4:39, ERV)

Know this well, then. Take it to heart right now. God is in Heaven above; God is on Earth below. He’s the only God there is. – (Deuteronomy 4:39, MSG)

 

God is everywhere. He is ever-present, and always available when we seek Him. However, God is not meant to be a good luck charm nor a star to wish upon; He is the Creator of all and the One on whom we can always depend. To truly acknowledge the Lord, we need to both praise Him for His provision and seek Him in our lack. We are meant to go to Him in all things and at all times, as the Lord is always good, even when our circumstances are not. May we ever take to heart who God is and how He loves, so that we will seek and depend on the Lord and give Him praise for all of our days.

 

In all of our ways, 

Let us take to heart;

That God is the Lord,

Of all, not just part.

In heaven above,

And on earth below;

There is none like Him,

He sees and He knows.

It is by His love,

He gives help and grace;

To help us walk well,

As we seek His face.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God in heaven and on earth below. Thank You that there is none like You. Thank You that as we seek You we find You and are granted help and hope and life. Forgive us for turning to anything or anyone other than You, as You are the only God there is. Teach us to trust You in all things and at all times, as You alone have the power to bring help and hope and healing where it is needed most. Show us how to love those around us, so that we may extend Your goodness and grace in a way that points people to You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we acknowledge who You are and trust You in all things. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

The Hope of the World

And His Name will be the hope of all the world. – (Matthew 12:21, NLT)

The mere sound of His Name will signal hope, even among far-off unbelievers. – (Matthew 12:21, MSG)

All the world will find its hope in His Name. – (Matthew 12:21, VOICE)

 

So often we use the word hope with little thought of where our true hope lies. We use the word as: the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best. (dictionary.com) However, our true hope lies not in things nor upcoming events, but rather in the One in whom and through whom all things were made. This is our true hope: The One in which expectations, longing and trust belong. May we enjoy the present for the gift that has been given, and keep our hope held in The One who is our Hope.

 

The Light of the world, 

Our hope for all times;

The One we can trust,

Most Holy, Divine.

For He is the gift,

That showed us the way;

To have peace right now,

And faith for always.

Let all our longing,

Be placed in His hands;

And trust in His Name,

As He understands.

For all near and far,

Will one day come know;

The light of His love,

And how His grace grows.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the hope of all the world. Thank You that You are our hope, the very One in whom we can place all our trust. Forgive us for placing our hope in people or things, as all else will fall short of You. Teach us to trust You more, as You are greater than all. Show us how to love those around us in a way that extends Your hope where it is needed most. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we find all of our hope in Your Name. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

Wait in Hope

Wait for the Lord’s help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord’s help. – (Psalm 27:14, ERV)

Stay with God! Take heart. Don’t quit. I’ll say it again: Stay with God. – (Psalm 27:14, MSG)

Hope in the Lord! Be strong! Let your heart take courage! Hope in the Lord! – (Psalm 27:14, CEB)

 

When we find ourselves lacking strength or courage or hope, there is One in whom we can place our trust to supply all that we need. The God of all grace comes along side us, and He hears our every cry. If we call on Him from our space of need, He meets us in His love. Though His timing and answers may not align with our expectations, the Lord always has our best in mind. We must take courage and be strong as we wait on the Lord, for His help is worth the wait. He is faithful to answer, so let us ever place our hope in Him.

 

Let us wait for God, 

Choose be strong and brave;

For He grants courage,

The hope that we crave.

He’s our Source of strength,

When we’re feeling weak;

He’s our solution,

To answers we seek.

Choose hope in the Lord,

Don’t quit, rise, take heart;

Ever He’s faithful,

All grace He imparts.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that in You we can place our hope. Thank You that You are our Source of strength and courage, and that as we wait on You, You meet us in our need and provide Your help. Forgive us for our lack of patience in the wait, as so often the answers we are asking take time, patience and perseverance. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would wait in hope, knowing that You are faithful to answer no matter how long the wait. Show us how to love those around us in a way that strengthens and grants courage to those who are losing heart. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we wait in hope for Your help with strength and courage that You supply. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

Through Trust, We Love

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in His love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. – (1 John 4:16, NLT)

So we know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God and God lives in them. – (1 John 4:16, ERV)

We have experienced and we have entrusted our lives to the love of God in us. God is love. Anyone who lives faithfully in love also lives faithfully in God, and God lives in him. – (1 John 4:16, VOICE)

 

Because we have entrusted our lives to the love of God, we have experienced and know His love in us. The very nature of who God is, is love. Outward evidence of our inward existence is demonstrated through the love that we give according to the grace and goodness that we know we have received. With Christ in us, we cannot help but love. The spaces where we struggle to love, are often the same spots within us, that we find it difficult to believe that God loves and accepts such a broken or flawed part of us. May we ever seek to live in the love of the Lord, receiving all that He has to give, so that we may go forth and love as we are loved.

 

When we choose to trust, 

Our hearts come to know;

The depth of God’s love,

The grace His love shows.

Let us choose to live,

In light of His love;

So we may too give,

God’s hope from above.

Entrust in the Lord,

And you’ll come to know;

The depth of His love,

And how it will grow.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we seek You, You show us the depth of Your love and how trustworthy You are in all things and at all times. Thank You that as we place our trust in You, we are able to live in love because You love us so well. Forgive us for not demonstrating Your love to all whom we meet in our moments of frustration, and teach us to trust and rely on You more, so that we give the same grace and love that we have been given by You. Show us how to love all those with whom we interact each day, so that they might see Your love through our words and deeds. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we trust in Your love and live in You as You live in us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; …my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5