A New Season of Hope By Lorrie Manosh
It’s hot! The sun beats down, the oppressive humidity without end, the beauty around that once flourished now covered in drought and longing for a little rain, a little refreshment. The excitement for summer days is now overshadowed by a season that seems to have started too soon yet doesn’t seem to be ending. The release of children from their normal school days in March is now extending through the fall with many unknowns still in sight. One season meshes into another, one hope shattered by the next delay, plans unknown, and schedules in disarray. 2020 has been a year… I don’t think I need to say more than that. Life has been altered for each of us in some way and for some in many ways. If you are a planner like I am, the plan book has more crossouts and scribbles than a child just learning the joys of writing! I’m sure I could continue to list what has changed, the disappointments, the frustrations, and more, but my heart is already too heavy as I’m sure yours is as well. Instead, there is a soft whisper within that says, “I am here... I have been here, and I will continue to be here. I am your light in the darkness, I am your way through the storms, I am your drink when you thirst and your peace when anxiety knocks at your door.” To the soft whisper that speaks within, I am thankful. When the noise of life gets too loud around me and there’s so much flashing that I’m blinded, I am thankful that the Lord speaks to me and to you in a still, soft whisper. His gentleness and unwavering love are our guide, our anchor for the soul. 48 | M AG A Z I N E N A M E PAGE 3 47
As I look ahead with still so many uncertainties and can feel my hope crushing in the weight of delays and unknowns, I am reminded that Christ goes before me as it says in Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” In this my hope is renewed, my spirit rises, and my plans drop because I know He has me and that His plans and ways for me are greater. Like a little girl following the lead of a trusted adult that goes before me, I grab hold of my heavenly Father’s hand and trust Him in my today and my tomorrow. It may be through a storm, it may be over a mountain or through a valley, but knowing that He guides me, that He will not fail me or leave me is enough for me to continue to press forward. Today I challenge you to grab hold of your heavenly father’s hand and not let go. He will carry you; He will guide you and He will never leave you. His plans are not our plans and though at times it feels scary, seems weird, or even impossible, the journey with Him is far greater than the journey without Him. When you want to cry out, “Why me?” I instead challenge you to cry out “Lord, what do you want to show me in this?” God has a plan and His love for us is far greater than we can imagine. I pray and believe that 2020 will not be just a year we remember for COVID 19, but more importantly, I pray that 2020 will be the year we remember for what the Lord did in us! Grab hold...His hand is waiting for you!
