Trudy

2020 Hope Whispers

The future is uncertain, but God’s faithful love will always be certain.

When It’s Hard to Understand God’s Plan

2020 has been a tough year. When we experience losses, trauma, and sorrows, it can be so hard to understand God’s plan for us, can’t it?

This year the most read post is one from 2015:

God’s Plan Is Greater Than Ours

“No, in all these things we are more than victorious
through Him who loved us.
For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers, things present or things to come,
hostile powers, height or depth
or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us from the
love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”

Romans 8:37-39

Nature is a Retreat of Hope

“All my life through
the new sights of nature
made me rejoice
like a child.”
Marie Curie

Thank you to my brother John
for these stunning photos.
🙂 Please respect copyright laws. 🙂
Chipmunk
Botta’s Pocket Gopher
Black-crowned Night Heron
American Avocet
Redhead Male
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
Acorn Woodpecker
Osprey With a Meal of Koi

26 comments

  1. I’m always blown away by your brother’s photography skills, Trudy! Gazing upon the variety of God’s creatures always cheers my heart. And since you included the word “hope” here, I’ll share with you that that is my word for 2021. We’ve had too little of it going around in 2020!
    Blessings, my friend!

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    • My brother’s photos always cheer my heart, too, Martha. 🙂 God’s creation always reminds me of what a great God we have. I love the word HOPE. May the God of Hope anchor our hearts in Him as we enter 2021! Blessings to you, too!

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  2. Thank you for bringing encouragement to me again today, Dear Trudy. His ways are truly so much higher than ours. I read your linked post and was so blessed by it. That passage from Isaiah 55 is in my and my husband’s life chapter. And it was just what I needed to be reminded of today, as we wait for his upcoming cardiologist appointment. Blessings, love, and hugs to you for this New Year dear friend! Xoxo

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    • I’m so grateful you were encouraged, Bettie, by that older post. It awes me how much that one is being read, even though it’s three years old. It confirms to me how much people are seeking to make sense out of this year. Troubles may be so hard to understand, but God is God, and we are not, right? In hindsight, though I sometimes thought my plan would be better, I’m so glad God is in control. Yes, His ways are truly so much higher than ours, and He knows what is best for us. I hope and pray God will give you and your husband strength and grace for whatever lies ahead. And that He will give healing in every way. Blessings, love, and hugs to you, too! May God teach us ever more deeply of His infinite love and faithfulness in this coming year!

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  6. Such a peaceful and comforting way to close out the blogging year, Trudy! Can you believe it was just over a year ago that we met in person? I’m not sure if it feels like yesterday or 10 years ago! I’m so glad we were able to get together face-to-face before 2020 happened and hope that someday, we can do it again. 🙂 Many blessings in the coming year, my friend!

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    • Thank you, Lois. It’s hard to believe it was that long ago. I was just thinking about that the other day. I hope your in-laws are doing well! I am blessed to have met you in person, and I hope, too, we can do it again someday. 🙂 Many blessings to you in the coming year as well! May we steadfastly remember that God is infinitely bigger than anything we go through!

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    • Thank you, Adele. We did have a peaceful Christmas. I hope you did as well. That pocket gopher is so cute, isn’t he? 🙂 I love all your nature photos and videos, too. May our hope in 2021 be anchored in our God whose love never fails!

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    • As we enter 2021, uncertainty crowds us, doesn’t it, Lisa? I am looking forward to what insights you glean in this coming year. In all the darkness, may we cling to the Hand of God whose love is always certain no matter what we’re going through!

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  10. Oh what a brilliant set of nature photographs! It truly is a “Retreat of hope” and a joy for the heart. I couldn’t resist smiling and feeling instantly calmed by looking at them. Thank you for the link to your older post too. It was encouraging to revisit it. I so appreciate the way you always seek to lift our tired spirits and feed our depleted souls. I love the new look as well. Happy new year to you, dear Trudy! May it be a year where we can more fully embrace and be grateful for the joy of being known and helped by God, and the great Hope we have in Jesus for each and every day that comes. Blessings, love and hugs! xoxo 💟

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    • You describe exactly how I feel when my brother’s photos come into my inbox, Joy. 🙂 Happy New Year to you, too! And AMEN to it being “a year where we can more fully embrace and be grateful for the joy of being known and helped by God, and the great Hope we have in Jesus for each and every day that comes.” Thank you for sharing your beautiful wording and these everlasting truths! Blessings, love and hugs to you as well!

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    • I thought it was so amazing how the osprey could twist its neck like that! God sure has given His creatures unique skills. 🙂 Happy New Year to you, too, Lynn! May our hope in God abound and may we trust Him with whatever lies ahead!

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  12. Oh, Trudy, Lamentations 3 … one of my favorite passages adopted during a season where everything to seem to give way.

    God brings it to mind often. And He’s been so faithful in keeping those mercies coming. I am so grateful for His loving kindness, His faithfulness, His tender mercies.

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    • God’s faithful love and tender mercies new every morning are unshakeable ground in seasons when our lives are shaken up and we feel like we’re sinking, aren’t they, Linda? This year and what lies ahead is uncertain, but it’s a comfort to know how unshakeable our God is. May we cling to this solid Truth in 2021!

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