Hope springs eternal

It is said that where there is life there is hope. Its rays of light and grace rise through the cracks and crevices of our days.

The resilience of the human spirit is a God-given gift we truly need.

We can endure far more than we think when God gives us hope and strength to do so.

Reason will only get us so far.

Faith and trust will enable us to go way beyond our limitations.

As we continue to place our hope in the God of all hope He will guide our paths, provide a way where there seems to be no way, and reveal His plans to us.

"Hope springs eternal in the human breast; man never is, but always to be blessed:the soul, uneasy and confined from home, rests and expatiates in a life to come" ~ Alexander Pope 'An Essay on Man'

As I dust down an old journal (which I began using in 2008 but ceased writing in after a series of family calamities concluding in the unexpected death of my brother), it is with the hope of reclaiming it anew, writing observations of life and faith and being able to move beyond the reminder of those painful times.

I also do so with the purpose of allowing God to speak to me afresh as I record daily (if possible) thoughts, reflections, snippets of poetry or prayers. 

I'm joining Dawn and other journaling friends in June as we seek spiritual white space and aim to draw near to God as He encourages us to #listentoyourlife more avidly in the month ahead.

You are very welcome and warmly invited to join us. For more info on journaling in June, click here to visit Dawn's site and find out what it's all about. There is space for you and grace to join in as you feel able to.

Let hope inform your days as you surrender them to His ways this week.

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without words ~
And never stops at all" ~ Emily Dickinson

By quiet waters

Our hearts long for peace.

Though rest and ease don't always come easily.

We live with restlessness pervading our inner and outer world. Conflict and battle. Wars and rumours of wars.

Loved ones are conscripted or voluntarily go to war. 

Accidents, injury, permanent disability and death may result from the conflict.

This is a day for silent reflection as we join our friends across the pond in considering those who paid the ultimate price to secure our freedom.

To draw near to the Prince of Peace and receive His restoration.

Sit by quiet waters and refreshing streams of grace.

Meditate on all our blessings, allow gratitude to seep in and soothe us, bringing some solace to wounded hearts and minds.

The road less travelled

Each journey we take in life begins with a single step.

Yet so often the first move is the hardest one to make.

The greater the challenge before us, the greater the measure of courage required. 

Faith requires us to walk blind sometimes, but we have the reassurance of God's continual Presence to lead and to guide. 

And when we're on the King of Kings' highway we are in a good place to proceed with confidence. 

'Highway'

An open road yawns wide before me

and I have a choice to make ~ hesitate,

deliberate, ignore, turn back, or face

the path ahead with anticipation

instead of mounting dread

Decide to take a stand,

move forward ~ trembling, slow,

though with a firm grip on Your hand

For only You know opportunities

arising round the bend

Only You know what happens

if I reject the path you send

So I choose to listen to Your voice

taking one step, then another,

until I can rejoice in overcoming

fears, as I finally make progress

after all these years rooted to the spot

like one petrified, half dead,

when I could have been pursuing

dreams with You instead

Although I cannot see the potholes and 

pitfalls on this path, I trust that You 

will clear the way on my behalf

And now I stand ready to make a start

knowing each step brings me

closer to Your heart

©JoyLenton2014

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God, my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long." ~ Psalm 25:4-5

Linking here with Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays




**NOTE** The winner (chosen at random from those who commented on my last post) of a copy of 'One Thousand Gifts' by Ann Voskamp is ~ Rebekah Gilbert. Congratulations, Rebekah! A copy will be winging its way to you asap.