Women’s Devotion: Hope

Hope Comes As A Gift From God

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

How are you feeling entering the New Year this year? What messages are you seeing on commercials or on social media? Are you enthusiastically turning over into a new blank calendar page, excited and motivated? Did you decide on a resolution or a special word you will focus on this year? Or are you cautiously creeping into 2022 thinking it could be just the same ole thing, without much hope?

I had been feeling trapped somewhere in between it all. I didn’t have a lofty resolution in mind (because why would I want to set myself up for possible failure or disappointment?) and there didn’t seem to be a motivational word that captivated my focus and attention. Then as usual, as I thought and prayed about this inner conflict, wondering why others could have such clarity and focus when I felt lost, God showed me a message that spoke to me…and I so clearly saw the same message in these three different ways, bombarding me on social media and then again, just to make sure I was paying attention, it was even on my fortune cookie.

“Aren’t you terrified of what 2022 could be like? Everything is so messed up!”
“I think it will bring flowers.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I’m planting flowers.”

“What the new year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the new year.” – Vern McLellan

“Life is a mirror – if you frown at it, it frowns back; if you smile at it, it returns the greeting.”

Maybe the same message and reminder that I needed can also be helpful for you, as we enter the new year together being hopeful and filled with gratitude for His gifts.

Dear Lord, Thank you for the reminders I needed to be able to renew my hope and excitement, knowing that your plan for us is one of hope and prosperity. Help me remember this precious gift from you and use it wisely in the new year. Amen.

This month’s devotion is written by Kristin Blomendahl. Kristin Blomendahl, a member of the Sheridan Women’s Ministry Team, lives in Lincoln with her husband Ben, son Max (7), and daughter Shelby (3). Kristin and Ben were both raised on farms in Northeast Nebraska, attended UNL, were married at Sheridan, and then lived in California and Maryland before
moving back home to “The Good Life” to raise their family. Kristin’s educational background is in Nutrition and Public Health and she is currently a stay-at-home mom