Mark, thank you. This post follows very well with the "is anybody home" post from a few days ago. When you're asking the same question(s) for years and no answer or hope of an answer seems apparent, it is easy to think that God's forgotten about those "days" in your life.

I was reading through 1 Peter and ch.1 v 13 says "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

That's a very different hope than one that is based on my physical circumstances. Its not a hope based on a job that pays well or relationships that have no struggles. Its a hope in the only One who will never disappoint, forget or leave me. Its a hope in my Father who loves me and gave His Son for me.

Thanks for the reminder - this day is off to the right start. My Father knows my pain - He remembers I'm dust. How grateful I am that His patience as displayed with the children of Israel has not run out before it came to me. Thanks for the reminder to look back and see His faithfulness in my past - it reassures me that He will confidently and lovingly order my steps that to me seem so unclear.

thank you dad, for this. so good.

Emily, thanks for your thoughtful comments. Your comments could be a blog post! That's an excellent insight - that our hope is not in this life but the grace that will be brought to us at the revelation of Jesus Christ - set our hope fully on that! I want to meditate on that - that's really encouraging.

Beth, you're welcome. You are living this...