Wisdom Wednesday

Good morning everyone! It's Wednesday again. Another week has come and gone. Time for this week's installment of Wisdom Wednesday. I was looking in Proverbs at what passage to talk about. However, I came across this little devotional that is scattered throughout my Bible. So I will post that, since I'm sure ya'll would rather hear from someone who actually knows what they are talking about! :-) Plus, I pick things out that speak to me, so I'm sure there is someone out there that reads this that needs to hear the same thing. I picked this devotional because it centers around one of my favorite Bible verses.

A Community of Hope

Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. ~Isaiah 40:31

One thing I know for sure: We were never created to go it alone, ladies. If we attempt to face life's complexities alone, our heart and hope will shrivel. God has created us for community-for belonging...Consider this suggestion: When you share your pain and others acknowledge their care for you, then hope begins to grow. A hope that is eternal and not based on day-to-day circumstances. A hope that aids a restless heart. The truth is, all of us will have restless hearts as long as we sojourn on this earth. It's part of the human story...

So in this life we are pilgrims, wanderers who cannot stay on earth permanently even if we wanted to. (And who would really want to? I ask, especially in my most exhausted moments. Take me away, Lord! I cry.)

Yes, our hearts will be restless until they rest eternally in God. Until we see Jesus Christ as both the highway and the goal of our journey. And until we see, with our own eyes, our glorious destination of heaven...

If you find yourself in...the place of despair and emotional trauma...be encouraged. You are not alone, and God is not far off from you. In fact, stop and give thanks for the restlessness of your soul. (Uh, yes, I am serious.) Really, without such restlessness, we would not even seek God or find the hope that can carry us through the difficult times.

~ Julie Ann Barnhill  from Exquisite Hope

Short, sweet, and to the point today!

Compassion International Update
On another note, I want to update you on my decision to sponsor a child through Compassion International. I finally found out which child I will be sponsoring! I hope and pray that I can be a blessing to this child in the same way that she has already been a blessing to me. I couldn't chose which child to pick, so I decided to let Compassion pick the child for me and prayed that God would give me just the right child. I got a little 5 year-old girl named Karen from Bolivia. I am excited to learn about her and to be there to be an encouragement to her and her family. I sent off my first letter to her on Monday. I am anxious to hear back from her, even though I'm sure at 5, she can't really read or write. And thank goodness that they translate your letters for you! I will keep you all updated on this journey with this special little girl. I can't wait to see what good things God can do!