Future Hope

The hardest place that we all find ourselves in is the place of hopelessness. circumstances in the last few years has made hopelessness, mine and maybe yours, a familiar companion. A new friend who happens to have my same name, Jennifer, said that Hope is the expectation that God is going to bring good things to you in the land of the living. I rejoice in the hope of eternal life, but have easily forgotten to believe for good things in this life. When I have contemplated on my many blessings then that demon of hopelessness runs from me. I am blessed with wonderful children and their spouses, I am blessed with beautiful grandchildren, and amazing friends. That demons returns when circumstances that cause pain don't change quickly enough. So today as when look forward to a new year, I am reminded of the wonderful lessons in Jeremiah 29. As I read in the NIV-Jennifer-"I know the plans I have you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart..I WILL BE FOUND BY YOU declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity." Our future Hope can be found today if we seek Him with all our hearts. What a great gift for the new year--More awareness of the goodness,power and love of God in our lives. I bless you all to have more of Him than you can ask or imagine. Love you, Jennifer

Treasures

God is always revealing what is in our hearts. Sometimes the good and sometimes the not so good. Last night I was rewarded with a treasure that every Mom, Dad, Grandmother and Grandfather pray for. I saw the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my children and grandchildren. They gave me a beautiful James Avery ring,exactly like the one that was stolen 2 weeks ago during a robbery in my home. This ring is inscribed with the words " I am my beloved and He is mine". Billy gave this to me at Christmas 5 years ago. Tonight my children are revealing what is in their hearts,that they want to give selflessly, that even the grandchildren wanted to give from their piggy banks, that they honor the words that we are all His Beloved children. Please join me in rejoicing that my family belongs to the Lord. Even more, we are now connected to those people who broke into my house so please pray with me for them. Lord, I bless each person that meant me harm by breaking into my house and taking what was not theirs. Bless them with the Love that comes from knowing You and bless them the kindness that will lead them to repentence. Bless them with the greatest gift, the gift of salvation. Daddy, I know these children will come home to you. Thank you for faithfully answering our prayers.

He is My Shield

The enemy of my soul is relentless in trying to remind me of old fears or put new ones in my mind and emotions. It seems that he works overtime at Christmas. This week I became a victim, like so many others, of my house being broken into and my jewelry being stolen. The stolen items consisted of my wedding ring,my 40th anniversary ring, my last necklace given to me on Valentines Day just before Billy went home to be with Jesus. They represent precious memories and cannot be replaced. But, the greatest challenge has been the violation and loss of peace in my home and heart. In climbing this mountain of finding my new identity without my husband, I felt like I lost my footing this week. I have been encouraged by the prayers and concerns from friends and family so I have been sustained, but when I sat down to write this, I was reminded of the words Sister Adeline gave me. She counseled me shortly after Billy's death when I was barely breathing. She said "Interior pain is what happens when we are letting go of how we define ourselves. When we let go, we give God a spaciousness to re-define us." So I am letting this interior pain of fear and loss be taken to the feet of my Lord Jesus and He is re-defining me as a victorious child of God not a victum. We are more than conquerors in Christ and He strengthens us to keep moving up these mountains. I love you and Merry Christmas,Jennifer