Where Are We Without Hope?

"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


Earlier today I read a daily devotion that talked about hope. It took me back to when we first arrived in Indianapolis at University Hospital and I had a doctor ask me if I wanted them to do everything possible for Kurt. He tried to ask the question very delicately, and I could tell that he already knew the answer. My answer was, "Of course." Later he came back and spoke to me for awhile during the middle of the night while getting more signatures from me for blood transfusions. He talked about what all was being done. The word "hope" came up. I told him that hope and faith was all I had at that moment. He gently agreed that these were two important things to have indeed.

Now, as I watch Kurt prepare for the next phase of his life, I think about hope quite a lot. I find myself "hoping" that the call will come soon; I "hope" that he will stay well as he awaits the transplant. I know that, according to Jeremiah, that "hope and a future" is attainable for us all, no matter what the issue we confront. What I have also learned is that sometimes our narrow idea of "hope" is not nearly as expansive as God's. Jesus' "hope" for us in his death and resurrection emcompasses all of mankind. My daily affirmations of "hope" usually have pretty short measurement on the scale. Nevertheless, I know that God, through his beautiful Son, has given me and everyone else the opportunity to feel the refreshing feeling that hope can bring when we embrace it. 

I "hope" for all of you a blessed day...peace be with you.

Comfort and Joy

"'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).

Today I'm making a little comforter for a baby. Seems there was a little mix-up with some nice ladies on a mission trip to Jamaica and, through some misunderstanding, some baby blankets didn't find their way to some sweet babies in that desperate country. The original request was a quilt, but I don't quilt, so I'll be making a comforter.

I like comforters. For those of you a bit unfamiliar with the type of blanket it is, comforters are the less glamorous cousin of the quilt. Comforters are normally made from the scraps of other projects.  Textile leftovers--not a very elegant beginning. But that's where the comforter gets its character. It has no pretense--it has no other purpose in life other than to create warmth and, well, comfort for anyone who is fortunate enough to receive one. 

The stitching on a comforter is also non-descript. No painstaking hand or machined designs. With a comforter, just getting the blocks as straight as possible is pretty much good enough. There are no stitches that even show, other than the straight stitching on the edging. 

The "glue" that holds the comforter together is called tacking. It's heavy thread that is looped through just enough of the blocks to sufficiently attach the layers of material and lining. That, combined with the edging or the "frame" of the comforter keeps everything together. I guess this is when the comforter moves from a noun to a verb and it comes into its true reason for existence.

It comforts. 

And that's what this willy-nilly mix of scraps joined together with a couple of bed sheets and some edging and heavy thread will do once it's complete. It will travel to somewhere in the states and then continue on to its journey to Jamaica. From there it will have the precious duty of comforting a baby that has little other earthly comfort. I know it will serve its purpose.

Every day we are comforted not only by these trusty blankets, but also by the "blanket" of God's precious love. Jeremiah 29:11 gives us the warmth of God's words. The hymn below, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", further illustrates God's unending commitment to give us true comfort and joy.

"God rest ye merry gentlemen,

let nothing you dismay;

Remember Christ our Saviour

was born on Christmas day

To save us all from Satan's power

when we were gone astray

O, tidings of comfort and joy,

comfort and joy,

O, tidings of comfort and joy" 

(author unknown, pub. by William B. Sandys 1833)

Peace be with you.