We had a nice spring rain today.  It felt cozy at home and my little girl and I decided to bake cookies.  A friend had brought some really yummy cookies while I was recovering from surgery and she was kind enough to share the recipe too.  I pulled that recipe out, eager to try a new cookie, when I noticed another piece of paper tucked behind the recipe.  That sweet friend had sent me lyrics to a Natalie Grant song.  As I read through the lyrics, the song hit me with a fresh wind of hope.

I thought of another friend.  Last night, I prayed with a friend who is watching her marriage dissolve right before her eyes.  It's a sad story and so unexpected.  Understandably, hope is hard to find in her situation.  Hope is easier when we know where all the HARD is going.  When we know that it will result in a beautiful ending.  But when the future is dark and unknown, it is so much harder to hold on to hope.  This is when we have to look at hope not as a feeling, but as a person.  The source of hope is always our faithful, unchanging God.  Our good Father.  We can look to the source of hope even when (especially when) we cannot see what's around the next corner.   Because, not matter how difficult this HARD is, it is temporary.  He has already won the battle that causes all this brokenness.  He is THAT able.

This song reminds me of that truth:

I know if You wanted to You could wave Your hand

Spare me this heartache, and change Your plan

And I know any second You could take my pain away

But even if You don't, I pray

Help me want the Healer more than the healing

Help me want the Savior more than the saving

Help me want the Giver more than the giving

Oh help me want You Jesus more than anything

You know more than anyone that my flesh is weak

And You know I'd give anything for a remedy

And I'll ask a thousand more times to set me free today

Oh but even if You don't, I pray

Help me want the Healer more than the healing

Help me want the Savior more than the saving

Help me want the Giver more than the giving

Oh help me want You Jesus more than anything

When I'm desperate and my heart's overcome

All that I need, You've already done

When I'm desperate and my heart's overcome

All that I need, You've already done

Oh Jesus

Help me want You more, than anything

- “More Than Anything” by Natalie Grant