Tag: hope

Anticipation

~ Barbara ~ 3 Comments

It’s coming! In the wake of the Blizzard of 2026, our anticipation is high. In three weeks and one day, we will officially emerge from winter’s hibernation and welcome spring, relishing the remarkable changes it brings—warmth, buds, and the promise of life. God’s rhythms always bring blessing.

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

God designed the cadence of the seasons and never wavers from the perfect rhythm He created. Whether it is a season of nature or a season of suffering, His plans, wisdom, and grace await us. His vision always holds promise and blessing.

  • We see snow on branches; He sees sap running beneath the bark.
  • We see ice on the walkways; He sees flowers preparing to break through.
  • We see freezing temperatures; He sees warmth waiting to kiss the earth.
  • We see storm-gray skies; He sees bright days filled with sunshine.

How abundant are the good things
that You have stored up for those who fear You.
Psalm 31:19

February is a great month to anticipate God’s goodness!

Image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay

Love

~ Barbara ~ 2 Comments

A five-minute search will reveal that Valentine’s Day has questionable origins, including a pagan Roman fertility festival and the martyrdom of Saint Valentine (of which there are at least two). But honestly, who cares? It has become a feel-good, syrupy emotional celebration of love. In the midst of snow and frigid temps, we are given a reason to decorate our homes with red, ice cupcakes, and send cards.

Although the sentiments are often superficial—less about commitment and devotion and more about lace and hearts—it’s a fun day! But I throw out a challenge: if we’re going to celebrate love, let’s do it right and go to the source. 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the Bible’s “love chapter” and explains what is and is not love.

We learn that love is not revealed in chocolates and roses, or dinners and candlelight. Love is exhibited in patience and kindness, humility and gentleness, forgiveness and mercy. Selah.

Our most eloquent professions, generous gifts, and greatest sacrifices are actually nothing without love. The qualities of true love run deep:

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful,
and endures through every circumstance” (verse 7).

Love isn’t found in a cut-out paper heart, but in cutting out the selfishness in our own hearts.

The final verse of the chapter reminds us what has enduring value:

“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—
and the greatest of these is love” (verse 13).

February is a great month to share love!

A Peaceful Perspective

~ Barbara ~ Leave a comment

Do you sometimes feel there’s too much noise, too much traffic, and too many demands? I can’t speak for readers in other parts of the country, but life is pretty hectic in North Jersey. On the other hand, if you live on planet Earth, it doesn’t matter whether you’re in the suburbs or the city, farming in a valley or living in hill country, turmoil will find you.

Sickness comes, debts mount, hatred invades, and opinions assault. Sin infects wherever people are found. Jesus not only knew this but experienced it, which is why His words carry weight.

He told His disciples they were about to face deeply challenging events, but they could find peace in Him. He added, “In this world you will have trouble.” That is not a maybe, but a certainty, and would sound pessimistic if He hadn’t added this clincher: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

 Jesus knew experientially what we can only imagine. Pain and sadness, loss and confusion, hatred and desertion—all will pass. The sorrows of this life are temporary.

We can endure what is temporary—a seedy hotel when it’s only one night, the pain of surgery when it promises relief, and tense conversations when the end is in sight. When we grasp the reality that all of life is temporary, we experience God’s peace!

Our future extends beyond what we see and feel. Anticipate the future and have peace.   

A Change in Perspective

~ Barbara ~ 1 Comment

I read these words by Charles Spurgeon and couldn’t resist sharing them:

Life is longing, sighing, crying, wasting away, and desiring.

Heaven is enjoying, possessing, and delighting one’s self in God.

Life is failure, disappointment, and regret.

These emotions are over when death comes,  

For glory dawns with satisfaction and intense contentment.*

Much of our thought life is consumed with the present and its problems. Our emotions long for something better, but our eyes watch the surrounding turmoil and see life wasting away. Disappointments mount and regrets haunt. There’s a better way to live, better thoughts to entertain.

What if we didn’t focus on the next week or next year, but on our eternal future? What if our minds rehearsed Jesus’ promise of a perfect tomorrow, and we began to assimilate that truth into our hearts?

Our perspective will change, and we’ll see joy increase, hope blossom, and anticipation grow. Glory will dawn “with satisfaction and intense contentment.”

My peace swells, and the world seems brighter when I read those words!

*Charles H. Spurgeon, Beside Still Waters, p 222.