Hope...

I'm sure you all heard the amazing story of the father who jumped into the East River to save his 2 year old daughter who had fallen 20 feet over the side of a ship, she & her family were touring.  This was the account given by witnesses to the reaction of the girls father...

Right away, the girl's father was racing across the ship's deck...(he) dove into the water and brought his daughter to the river's surface.

I cry everytime I read or think about this story as I can't help but think that's how God reacts to us.  We are like that helpless 2 year old.  Drowning in unbelief, in despair, in addiction, in loneliness, in illness.  God our father will stop at nothing to save us... to reach us.  He doesn't stand on the side of the pier, and lecture us for not listening, or for being careless, and we should have known better than to get ourselves into this situation.  He doesn't begin to research what is the best way to get us out, and offer advice, He doesn't just throw a lifeline or a life raft.  No, God OUR Father jumps right into the water WITH us.  He is WITH us, He is experiencing all that we are.  The difference is He has the strength, and wisdom to get us out.  He holds us close, assures us that He's got us, and it will all be okay.

I've been feeling like that little girl lately... overwhelmed, and drowning in the demands of life.  Right now I feel like I'm sinking, but I know my Father is with me even if I can't see, hear, or feel Him.  That is what faith is.  I'm trusting He'll pull me out these murky waters.

This is one of my favorite passages of scripture to hold onto when I have feelings of despair. It's from Lamentations 3:

21 Yet this I call to mind
       and therefore I have hope:

²² Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
       for his compassions never fail.

²³ They are new every morning;
       great is your faithfulness.

²⁴ I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
       therefore I will wait for him."

²⁵ The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
       to the one who seeks him;

²⁶ it is good to wait quietly
       for the salvation of the LORD.

³² Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
       so great is his unfailing love.

³³ For he does not willingly bring affliction
       or grief to the children of men.

With all that said, I'm also going to focus on what I have to be thankful for...

• My Madalynn
• My family
• Dear friends
• A job that provides for us.
• A roof over my head.
• Food to eat.
• Living in a country where I'm free to write things like this without fear of persecution.
• A relationship with God my father.