Between the deer, bunnies, turtle, and the weather we haven’t had much of a harvest this year. We have enjoyed butterbeans, a few cherry tomatoes, lettuce, and some of my blueberries. I have some c-o-r-n (don’t want the raccoons to hear) that should be ready in a week or so. I am hoping that we can enjoy some of that harvest.

            As I was planting the seeds the other day and looking at that corn with my mouth watering, I began to think what a powerful force hope is in our lives. With this awful gardening year, I could have given up…just let the weeds win. I realize there is still time, still an opportunity to get a harvest before the fall frost. I don’t want to give up. I want to believe that things can turn around, that I can still get a good harvest.

            Hope is a powerful force, in fact, I think it is unstoppable. If we can maintain hope we can persevere through whatever circumstances face us. If we can believe that tomorrow will be a better day, we can dig down to something deep within us and make it through today.

            I understand that in some cases, like depression, we need medical help to overcome. Pray for those who are struggling and trying to cope with loss, suffering, and pain…they need an extra dose of hope.

            When we get discouraged with life’s normal ups and downs we have to learn to hold onto hope. In the Old Testament, David went through many down times, he even wrote about them. If you read in the Psalms he sounds so down, but as the Psalm draws to a close David encourages himself. He reminds himself of God’s goodness and love. He tells himself that God will not abandon him, even though he might feel that way. My pastor tells us often that we can’t trust our feelings…we have to rely on our faith.

            When we get down, it’s hope that can lift us up. When we get discouraged, we can remember that when David was discouraged he renewed his hope in God. Sometimes we can’t see because we are surrounded by our circumstances, but if we turn to God, He can lift us up on the wings of hope. In our dark moments, we have to turn to God who will give us strength, wisdom, encouragement and hope.