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What are you hoping for?

I came for a short visit to Inglewood, California to see my family and offer my assistance in a family project at my parent's house this weekend.  I didn't bring my percolator, so off to Starbucks I went to get some much needed coffee.  California is a beautiful place and the weather is always nice, so I walked to Starbucks  It's only one mile away and that's a great way to get some sun and some exercise, all at once.  

As I was walking down the street, I felt an air of dreams deferred, a bit of staleness, and a sense of "is this all there is?"  Now, I know there will always be dreamers and believers, movers and shakers, but I couldn't help but notice the look of hopelessness on the faces that I passed by.  I noticed the homes with unkempt lawns and the cars that needed washing.  As we get older and our priorities change, I understand that what was once important may fade in the shadows of more pressing issues.  I know that having the latest Jordan's (if that's still a thing) gives way to having the best mattress for optimal sleep.  

Listen, I'm not sure what you may be dealing with today.  I'm not sure what curve ball life has thrown you, but can I encourage you to look up and have hope?  Yes, I know things are not ideal and you'd rather be healed and whole.  But can I let you know that hope heals a downcast soul.  This medicine that we have in the Word is a powerful balm.  I encourage you to curl up with your Bible and look in the back under "Hope," and lean into those scriptures.  "But where then is my hope? Can anyone find it? No, my hope will go down with me to the grave.  We will rest together in the dust!"  Job 14:15.

"May integrity and honesty protect me for I put my hope in you" Psalm 25:21.  "And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you" Psalm 38:7.  "But I will keep on hoping for you to help me; I will praise you more and more" Psalm 71:14.  
 
Hope looks a lot like care.  Where there is hope, there is effort in maintenance and care.  I'm not saying that mowing your lawn, or washing your car, is the answer to all life's conundrums, but I can say with certainty that mowed is better than not mowed, and clean is better than dirty.  Let's just start there.  

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