Because there is hope
For the past several months, I’ve been working on a project to complete my front porch. It has been in the “working on” stage for several years. A cousin and his crew did the major work, but, to save on expenses, I opted to apply sealer to the flooring and paint the railings and posts myself.
Of course, with the length of time it is taking me to complete the painting, I’m asking myself, “You think you’ll finish this before next summer?”
That leads to other questions…
- Why make more updates to my house? It has a new roof, it keeps me dry.
- Can I really afford these repairs and cosmetic changes?
- Why spend the money and the time and effort–especially at my age?
- And…whatever possessed me to try and save a few dollars by painting all those posts? (I still have a second coat to do…Sigh…
Because I have hope
Perhaps I have a few more years to enjoy my home.
Sitting on a front porch with a cup of hot chocolate to watch the sunrise makes me smile.
Maybe someone else will enjoy this porch, even after I’m gone.
Whether we like it or not, maintenance (i.e. painting) is necessary in all aspects of living–to take care of our home, our cars, our relationships, our health and, most importantly, our faith.
We have the promise of hope–that there is a future for us.
“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 hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
We have the promise of hope and blessing.
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
We have God’s promise of protection and the gift of His Word.
You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:114
We have God’s promise that He is always with us.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
So when I’m feeling sad, tired, and weary, I know the One to whom I can go for strength. When I worry about the future I know where to find hope. And even when a mundane task seems to go on forever (like painting porch posts and railings), I have time to contemplate God’s great love for me.
Isaiah 40:31 and Jeremiah 29:11 are two of my favorite scriptures. Do you have beloved verse that you turn to when you seek the hope of God’s promise?
Wishing you a blessed week, my friends, and the joy of hope.
Thank you for this timely post. Right now hope is running a little low on fuel.
I agree, Gail. Our faith and hope are being challenged, but that is when our Father puts His protective arms around us and gives us the strength, faith, and courage to keep going, even when we feel we cannot take another step. Thanks for stopping by my blog. Wishing you a blessed week!
Thank you, Katherine. I can sure relate to your maintenance story!! And even more you have reminded me of verses of hope, that my family needs right now for several difficult situations. Thank you! I’m going to forward this to my daughter-in-law!
Since you have experience with remodeling an older house, Kathy, I know you understand those issues when everything seems to be breaking at the same time. Sometimes our lives feel like that, too. I’m so thankful that we have a loving Savior who is always with us and is especially faithful in the hardest of times.
What a wonderful, and encouraging, post Ms. Katherine. While we have a small front porch, we’ve all but ceded it to the barn cats. In the seven years we’ve lived here, there only ever been two folks come to our front door. 🙂 I love your tenacity to see this project through; and I bet it’s going to get lots of use both now and in the future ma’am. Other than the rapture, I pray you’re not going anywhere soon, but I understand how God doesn’t promise us tomorrow on this earth, but He does promise us eternity. Amen? It’s not my east-facing hill overlooking the ranch, or my and Bubba’s spot under the pines near the barn, but we all need to quiet places where we can hide beneath God’s wing and seek His protection, rest, and nourishment. God’s blessings; and happy hot chocolate ma’am.
Thanks for the gift of a smile, my friend. You are right–God’s promises are trustworthy. We’re not promised an easy life here, but we know that what follows in eternity is more glorious than our human minds can imagine. Wishing you and your sweet bride a blessed week.
Katherine, as always, you point us to the goodness of God in every situation. I love the stone and the porch on your house and appreciate the way you listed positive thoughts for projects and Scripture verses for hope. Thank you.
Jeannie, thank you for recognizing my “attempt” to look for the goodness of God in every situation. I confess that is not always the case, but I am trying. I had a long drive to work this morning and I pondered the influencers in my life. I have been blessed with so many role models of faithfulness and service. My thoughts went to my mother (now deceased for 20 years). She is my role model for kindness. She always looked for the good in every situation, rather than focusing on the negative as I am sometimes prone to do. As I have connected with many authors through social media, I believe kindness is a characteristic of most writers–they are extremely kind and encouraging. We are blessed to be part of such a family. I’m thankful for your kindness and service to others, my friend.
I’ve learned much about home maintenance and relationships these past eight years and appreciated your thoughts. Your scriptures are two of my favorites. Thank you.
Thank you, Marilyn. There are so many scriptures that bring comfort and hope, but these two are my standbys in times of joy and when the trials come.
I’ve experienced the same feelings as you regarding certain tasks I’ve set out to do. You describe beautifully why it’s important to do them anyway.
This quote by Charles Kingsley helps me keep my work in perspective: “Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not.”
Blessings my friend!
What a beautiful quote! Thank you for sharing. It is a blessing to awaken to meet the day and have tasks to do. I’ll try to be less grumpy in the morning! Thank you for sending me a blessing, Candyce.