Do We Participate in Hope?

Do we participate in hope?  I think so.  What is it that you hope for?  To lose weight? Be debt free? Be organized? Have a relationship healed? Not being in pain - emotionally or physically?  Wanting your life to improve in some way?  Wanting someone else's life to improve?  What is it that you can do? 
Write it down.  See, already you have done something.
Make a reasonable goal.  Rome wasn't built in a day and you aren't going to lose 20 pounds in one week. (I know...bummer).
Seek wise counsel from someone you trust.
Ask the right question. ( I was a slow learner on this one).
Be an encourager - to yourself or someone else.
Ask
Seek
Knock
Wait (expectantly) - waiting is something that we can do.
...waiting with you in hope...

The Airport

After 51 days, 8 hours and 10 minutes, I got to reunite with my daughter who had been away for the summer. I made the 3 hour drive up to Denver International Airport hoping and praying that I would not be late. I had received a text from her that said they were going to be an hour early. Needless to say I put the pedal to the metal. (I always wanted to say that). I arrived with time to spare because the plane was not as early as expected. Whew, I thought! I can relax a little. I found my way to a shop that was selling single roses for $5 each or a dozen for $19.98. Five dollars for a single rose?! Why, that's highway robbery as my grandfather used to say. But, they've got us because our emotions are running high and we would gladly spend money to show our loved one returning home how much we love them. Once I bought the rose, I settled down into a chair among others who were waiting for their loved ones to arrive. Some had gone to elaborate measures with signs that said, "Welcome to Colorado" or "Welcome to the United States." I watched as some lovers reunited in a warm embrace and a young lady yelling at someone and then running and jumping into his arms. It was then that I decided that I was sitting in the happy place at the airport. I had the opportunity to watch others including a little girl who kept telling her mama how excited her daddy would be. What a fun place to be - seeing people smile, warm embraces, the energy that they gave off because of their excitement....Then it was my turn. Surely this group, I thought, will have my daughter in it. I stood there and could feel my body tense up with excitement when I saw my daughters beautiful face. The lady next to me must have sensed it because I saw out of the corner of my eye that she was stepping to the side as if to give me room to make my way toward my daughter. I could see her looking for me and then I saw her eyes light up and her mouth form a smile and I knew that she saw me. Ahhh, it is in those moments that you wish time would stand still so that you could hold onto the memory just as it is. But, since that doesn't happen, I will just tuck that memory away in my heart and pull it out anytime I need to go to my happy place.

Don't forget me, he said........

I went to a funeral today. Stan’s wife had died this past Sunday after a 2 ½ year battle with cancer. In true character, Stan was at the door greeting people when they walked in. We hugged, I told him I was sorry for his loss, we talked for a bit, and then he said, “Don’t forget me.” I couldn’t believe that this man was saying that. Stan is the neighbor that everybody wants. Stan knows everybody in the community – you think I’m exaggerating, don’t you? But, he does. He knows what is going on in their lives and can tell you the names of all their family members. Stan is the one who is out plowing the neighborhood in his small tractor after the blizzard so that people can get out to the store. Stan is the one that I called when my dogs went on a 6-hour hiatus and he heard the concern in my voice and said, “I’ll be right there.” He drove from his job and came and picked me up because his pickup could take the terrain that my car could not. I could go on and on, but you get the point. ..How could anyone forget Stan?! He lost his wife of 48 years this week and I think about how lonely and quiet the house will be. It happens so suddenly, doesn’t it? Even when we expect it, it just seems so quick. Life goes fast. As I work to build my business, network with others, my job, etc., I remember that the most important thing is relationships. It truly does not matter how big our bank accounts are, how many people love our designs, how good we are at our jobs. What does matter is the people that God places in our lives and how we allow Him to reflect His love to those around us. Who has God placed in your life?