Thursday 22 November 2012

When You Are Low on Hope

Have you ever needed an olive leaf? You know a sign of sorts that lets you know you aren't forgotten? Everything really is going to be alright. Really it is. You know the feeling? Like Noah being cooped up in the Ark and being so done with his life circumstances. Let me out, I've had enough.The flood waters in my life have been rising too long and I just need a little hope. When Noah send a dove out of the ark for the second time it returned with an olive leaf. This leaf was more than foliage, this leaf was a promise. This leaf brought hope. This leaf brought evidence of dry land after a flood. Don't we all love olive leaves in our lives? What's more don't we love the doves that bring them? My doctor advocated on my behalf, instead of a year wait list I have an appointment in two weeks with a foot specialist. My neighbour whose husband is in a motorised wheelchair dropped of a shepherds pie for dinner, she just found out about my ankle. My amazing husband who picked up two Christmas wreaths for the front door to set the mood for the upcoming season.. My counsellor who encouraged me to bring less to  family gathering because I need to take care of me. My son who said the blessing over lunch yesterday and then thanked God for my doctors appointment. My sister-in-law that loves me and has my back. My friends that heart me and let me share all of me. Perhaps that's the reason I love Jesus. You see He brings leaves to me. Grace and life. Forgiveness of sin. The defeat of death. This is the hope He gives. This is the hope I need. My flood is not too wide. My worth not too small. What do you do with hope? What do you do with olive leaves? You pass them around. You don't stick them in your pocket. You give them to the ones you love. Love always hopes. Love...bears all things , believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Cor. 13:4-7)  Love has hope in you.  IF you don't need hope than you are called to give hope. You can say those words. "I have hope for you". You are a flood survivor. By Gods grace you have found your way to dry ground . You know what its like to see the waters subside. And since you do, since you passed through the flood and lived to tell about it, you are qualified to give hope to someone else. Hope it's a powerful thing.

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