We cannot know what will happen this year in this world, our country, and our homes (or the lack of them), or in the well-being of each and every one of us. We can easily become discouraged when we see and hear or experience all the chaos and heartbreak.
Life doesn’t always go the way we want it to, and there can be so much we can’t understand. Sometimes our heart may cry out with the Psalmist in Psalm 10:1, “Why do You stand far away, LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?” Hate, abuse, and injustice can seem to go unchecked. Longings for peace are sometimes unmet. Cries for relief or refuge sometimes go unanswered.
We don’t know what the future holds, but meanwhile there is hope in our God who fully knows and cares about each and every one of us. Even when our hearts are filled with questions. But He promises us that someday we will understand the why in everything.
Strength for Today
Hope for Tomorrow
❤️ God is God. We are not. We don’t need to make sense out of everything. Someday we will fully understand the bigger picture of all this.
Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now
what I am doing, but someday you will.”
John 13:7 NLT
❤️ The events and circumstances that perplex us can lead us into a deeper faith in God. They help us to rely more heavily on God and His promises. They refine us to be more like Jesus.
“But He knows the way that I take
[and He pays attention to it].
When He has tried me, I will come forth
as [refined] gold [pure and luminous].“
Job 23:10 AMP
❤️ Bad things happen when people choose evil. That doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us or doesn’t care. NOTHING WILL EVER SEPARATE US FROM HIS LOVE!
“No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory
is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing
can ever separate us from God’s love.
Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—
not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.
No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed,
nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from
the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:37-39
❤️ God has the power to protect us from evil, but sometimes He allows us to break, so we can be led deeper into the brokenness Jesus suffered for us. The more we connect with His brokenness, the more He can use our brokenness to help others who are broken.
“As for you, you meant evil against me,
but God meant it for good,
to bring it about that many people
should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Genesis 50:20
❤️ God will never, ever abandon us. Humans can and will let us down, but God never, ever will. He is with us, even when we don’t “feel” it.
“Because God has said,
‘Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.’”
Hebrews 13:5b
❤️ The sufferings we go through here are nothing compared to the glory hereafter.
“For I consider [from the standpoint of faith]
that the sufferings of the present life
are not worthy to be compared with the glory
that is about to be revealed to us and in us!”
Romans 8:18 AMP
❤️ Are there verses that especially give you hope today? ❤️
Feel free to share your hope and your heart with us!
“…Lord, bless this new year.
Cover us with Your grace.
Breathe hope in the broken.
Light up every dark place…”
Nature Retreat
Amazing Birds in Arizona
~ Courtesy of My Brother John ~
(Renamed from Elegant Trogon since they have been determined
to be a different species than the ones from Central America)
Freed to Fly 
Thank you for these Hope Breathers, Trudy, straight from God’s word, our everlasting hope. And, of course, love the bird pictures. We saw a flock of ducks flying the other day. We had exceptionally warm temperatures for January, so I hope they are not confused! Our ponds are still frozen for the most part. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Lynn. We so need our everlasting HOPE! Hopefully, those ducks are going to be fine! Here we have Canadian Geese that stay all winter long even when most places are iced over. A great example of how God takes care of His creatures! Love and blessings of strength for the day!
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None of us can know what this year, or even the next day, will bring, but we can trust that God is with us, loves us, and will carry us when we stumble and fall. The bird photos of John’s are amazing as always. They always bring me a sense of calm and peace. Blessings for a wonderful year filled with joy and love, Trudy!
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Yes, Martha, and that is such a comfort that “God is with us, loves us, and will carry us.” No matter what happens. I’m so glad John’s bird photos bring you a sense of calm and peace! They do for me also, especially in these cold winters where we don’t see a lot of birds here in SD. I pray the same blessings for you!
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Oh what a lovely way to kick off this Wednesday morning, Trudy. Thank you for all the beauty, hope, and promise you’ve shared with us. A true gift in the midst of deep mid-winter.
Bless you, friend.
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Thank you for your kind words, Linda. I’m grateful you found beauty, hope, and promise here. Love and blessings of warm and cozy rest in the midst of winter!
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Thank you for so much beauty and hope offered here, Trudy! The quote from Psalm 139, the Surgeon quote, and this:
God has the power to protect us from evil, but sometimes He allows us to break, so we can be led deeper into the brokenness Jesus suffered for us
They all are touching me so deeply today. He is never without purpose, and always filled with love for us. I needed these reminders today.
I pray you are staying warm and safe in this monstrous cold front moving through. I have a respiratory virus, so my thoughts and prayers are with you and the suffering you bear with your breathing difficulties. Blessings and hugs dear friend! ❤️🙏
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I’m so sorry you have a respiratory virus, Bettie! (If I remember correctly you had it last year, too?) I empathize with you. My thoughts and prayers are with you, too! I’m sure it flares up your other conditions more, too.
I’m so grateful you found hope here! I need those reminders often, too. I turned 70 already yesterday and it seems the older I get, the more empty I get if I don’t keep immersing myself in God’s tender love and His faithful promises for us. Someday we’ll understand everything and we will be completely and gloriously healed in every way! “For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelations 7:17) Something we can look forward to, right? 💕
I woke up to 16 degrees below today, and it doesn’t sound like it’s going to warm up much. I pray you are staying warm and safe as well! Love and blessings of strength for the battle and the tender, warm blanket of Jesus’ love!
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Oh Trudy, Congratulations on your 70th Birthday! I hope you had a blessed day. Yes, the older I get, I feel those things also–I am so dependent upon Him! May this year be filled with His presence upon your life dear sister! ❤️❤️❤️
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Thank you, dear Bettie! May your year be the same! 💕🙏
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Trudy, I first read this a few days ago and it and it was exactly what I needed this week. I’m so thankful God’s character, love and truth remain unchanged even when our feelings may be all over the place. I’m also glad we can rest in the knowledge that our faithful God knows the whys and hows, even when we don’t have a clue. Also, I saw in your response to Bettie that you just had a birthday? I hope it was happy and that this year is full of much joy and many blessings for you! Hugs, friend.
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It’s amazing how God sends us what we need when we need it, isn’t it? I’m grateful He gave you hope in His promises here, Lois. Yes, it’s such a comfort that His character, love, and truth never change even when our feelings are all over the place.
I did have a happy birthday. 🙂 Thank you for your kind wishes. I hope and pray this year is full of much joy and many blessings, too! Lilly’s wedding will be here before you know it! God bless her and her future husband along with your whole family! Hugs to you, too!
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Hi, Trudy.
Thanks for your words/posts, you keep your eyes and heart open to the essence of life.
God/Jesus/Faith, are leading you to a great journey full of blessings.
To your birthday, smiles, friends, nature to feel and see more and more the beauties of God.
Happy birthday!
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Thank you, Amvn. May you see more of the beauties of God as well. We can’t live without Him to guide us on this journey, can we? Love and blessings to you!
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