She called me to ask if I had any idea why the church had sent them a check with the words “love gift” in the reference.
I informed her that someone must have had it on their heart to give them some money and did so through the church to remain anonymous.
She began to weep.
“You have no idea what this means.”
My friend had been carrying around a significant amount of stress. How will we pay the medical bills for our son? Will we need to move somewhere else? Away from our community just to live more affordably?
“I feel so loved,” she continued to say.
Loved by the Body.
Loved by the God who sees her.
It seems that “El Roi,” the God who sees, knows just the tipping point that meets us at our threshold. It is there where He surprises us by big hope.
But what about small hope? In the celebration of the big hopes, we often forget the small hopes.
He came home today after the huge fight we had.
She slept through the night.
We paid the rent… again.
The word hope is an indication of waiting.
It’s a waiting for our prayers to be answered.
For light to shine into the dark night of the soul.
It breathes the anticipation of the not yet but the soon to come.
Hope gives us confidence in the future.
Where have you been surprised by hope?
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ~ Romans 15:13
By Suzie Lind, Hemmed In
Leave a Comment
Dorothy O'Shields says
Beautiful… Where would we be without Hope?♥
Surprised by Hope « Suzie Lind says
[…] Surprise by Hope […]
Amy Sullivan says
Oh, I wish everyone would always feel so “loved by the body”.
God surprises me with hope often. Sometimes I’m sick of hearing myself pray the same thing, and so I don’t, but He hears me anyway and provides.
Sarah Markley says
Suzie – this is beautiful. I love it!!
thank you so much for sharing today. so happy we’re friends!!
Kelly Matson says
Thank you for reminding me that He sees Me! Humbled.
tracy says
Beautiful, I needed this!!
Angela Bisignano says
Beautiful Suzie. We all need to be reminded of the hope for which we live.
Victory says
This is so encouraging… I’m amazed and humbled in watching God work through His people. Thank you for sharing Suzie!
Cherish says
Thank you for reminding me to look at the small things and rejoice in those as well. We take so much for granted. Thank you for encouraging me once again!
Marcy says
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts- Thanks for the reminder that we can both hope and bring hope to others!
Rebecca says
What a great reminder! I shudder to think where we would be without hope.
Kathryn says
Ahhh, the joy of your reminder. Especially the “small hopes”, despair can creep in so stealthily! Thank you for “peeking” into life and giving us this nugget of wisdom!
Heather says
What a great reminder, makes me think of the many times I’ve been surprised by hope and I am encouraged once again. One of the many blessings of hope that continue to give!
Katherine says
As always, your writing is such a gift. Thank you.
Cynde Knutson says
Hope never disappoints. Very encouraging.
Joanie Nugent says
Hope deferred makes the heart sick. How often I have remembered that scripture, and seen the heartache of hopelesness So glad to be reminded that He is our Hope and He sees, and often uses His people to bring His Hope.
Mena says
It’s so good to be reminded that nothing is too big or small for our God and that His love and beauty are revealed in the details and through those who know Him. I also have HOPE in waiting…. waiting on Him.