This season can be crazy at times. Although there is much joy in seeing friends and family, for some, this is a difficult season.
The news around the world brings little hope for peace.
The crazy weather brings little hope for warmth and safety.
However you feel today, I want to bring you a little HOPE.
Our nonprofit organization is Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE. For the past nine years since we started our 501(c)3, I have collected HOPE ornaments.
Today I’ll share some photos of my new HOPE tree.
I had so many ornaments that the tree I had last year fell over. I’ve been looking for the perfect tree for my office where I can share my HOPE ornaments year round.
I found just the tree and I am delighted with how it carries these meaningful ornaments.
HOPE Tree 2016
HOPE has been a theme in my heart these days as I’ve been reading one of my favorite books by Ron Mehl titled Love Found a Way. It was written in 1999 as a collection of Christmas stories. I love to read it each year. Pastor Ron died in 2003 after a long battle with leukemia, but his books will speak his message for many years.
He reminded me that HOPE is a Christmas word because Christ came to bring us HOPE.
We think of the word in many different ways.
My granddaughter Avery hopes she gets a volcano for Christmas.
As many people travel, they hope for safe flights and clear roads.
Young moms hope for some sleep.
The unemployed hope for a job.
As school wound down last week, teachers told students they hoped they would have a great vacation.
But I think the HOPE that Jesus brought isn’t such a watered down version of that wonderful word.
I love how Ron Mehl puts it in his Love Finds a Way book,
“No, the Bible’s brand of hope is very different. This is hope shot through with confidence. This is hope so muscular it can pull you out of a deep pit. This is hope so powerful it can anchor your life–keeping you secure in the highest waves and strongest storms. This is hope stronger than death–a hope upon which you’d state your life…and your eternity.”
Why is this hope so strong? It is because of the object of our hope. This isn’t hoped just for hope’s sake. It is hope fixed on the Almighty Lord who loves each of us as his own precious child.
Hope Ornaments 2016
Hope is what connects us to God and to heaven.
Hope tells us that no matter our situation, we can rest in the hands of a sovereign God who loves us very much.
More HOPE Ornaments 2016
I love how David puts it in Psalm 62:5-6
“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. he alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.”
Maybe today you are not feeling so hopeful. It is my prayer that you will find the hope that found a way to completely change my life.
In my next blog post, I’ll be sharing some of the reasons I put my HOPE in Him.
Until then, be blessed knowing I think of you and pray for you often.
Gigi
My books are available at www.DochasPublications.com You can use the code HOPE to get a $5 discount off the $14.95 price of my FAITH, HOPE, LOVE journals.
- My HOPE Tree
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.
I love the lights on our Christmas tree.
We have two trees in our home but I’ve especially enjoyed my HOPE tree.
After we established Gabriel’s Foundation of HOPE (www.GabesHOPE.org), we let people know of our desire to bring HOPE to individuals and families living with the effects of disability.
As a kind gesture of support, we began to receive ornaments and other gifts displaying the word HOPE.
I created this tree to display the gifts and it remains in my formal living room all year long.
I also decorated my cubicle at work with the overflow of gifts.
Now, four years later, we have quite a collection of HOPE objects.
Why HOPE?
Because HOPE gets me through the difficult times in my life.
Of all the forces that make for a better world, none is so powerful as hope. With hope, one can think, one can work, one can dream. If you have hope, you have everything.” Sloan Kettering Memorial
My hope is found in Jesus.
- the one we are celebrating each Christmas.
- the one who came as a baby
- the one who broke the chains that held me bondage to ugly sin
- the one who gives me life everlasting
- the one and only
Hope lights up the horizon in my dark nights.
Where would I be without HOPE?
I took photos of the ornaments on my HOPE tree as well as the gifts I have displayed throughout my home and at work too.
I added them to my photo share site. Enjoy!
Click here to view these pictures larger
HOPE reigns in my heart. HOPE shines in my home. HOPE defines my eternal destiny.
God Bless your heart with HOPE
Gigi