I feel like these flowers capture the essence of our 2014 winter so far. I bought them at Trader Joe's the other day while they were still closed up: the hope of beauty hidden, but possible. So over the last couple days, they have struggled to open, made it about halfway and are now shriveling back up.
Depressing, I know.
That's how I've felt over the last couple months. Just being honest, here. We will get hopeful news from a contractor and then wait, and wait, and wait some more for something beautiful to happen. And when it doesn't happen, it's like my hope shrivels up inside.
Last week, I realized I've come to the absolute end of my strength when it comes to waiting.
But, I had a great cry with Scott over it and then got some wonderful encouragement from friends. A couple lines from a Sara Groves song keep going through my head:
"In the trial, in the trial
I learned to hold on
to the heart of God."
I'm so thankful that I can throw all my emotions "at God" in these times and He is solid and strong and His heart is good. He brings deliverance when we put our hope in Him.
So...I am confident that this winter will end and Spring will arrive and we will be able to be honest when we are at the end of our own strength and will carry on in the Lord's.
And hiking in the sunshine helps, too.
So...I am confident that this winter will end and Spring will arrive and we will be able to be honest when we are at the end of our own strength and will carry on in the Lord's.
And hiking in the sunshine helps, too.
