Seeds of Hope

Many years ago now, we had two foster children come live with our family for several months. They were sisters, ages four and six, who came from a rough family situation. I’ll never forget we were driving down the road one morning and the four-year-old started singing this song that we had sung in church, “Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Open the eyes of my heart. I want to see you. I want to see you.” I could see her big smile in the rearview mirror. In fact, I can still see that smile. And I found myself praying with her, God if anyone needs to see you… Please Lord, let her see you. Let her know you. 

Sometime later, these sisters ended up being able to go home to live with their mom. I don’t know their situation today, but I am thankful for the gift of that time with them. And I am thankful for my church family – which helped plant even a seed of faith. God knows they will need it – no matter what. 

In the dark moments in life, I pray that there would be a seed of faith in you too. That you would come to see that the hope and grace you need to survive are as near as your next breath.

Jesus said, “Ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Let us pray:  Blessed are you O God of all creation, for you have given us the gift of this day – even the gift of life itself. Blessed are you O God of all creation, for you have given us the gift of your church – the beauty of your people – in all ages, races, backgrounds, stories. Blessed are you O God… Out of tremendous love, you call us – and we have felt that calling as a longing in our hearts or stirring in our souls. And so we respond to you now by sitting even just for a moment aware of your presence. Be near to us we pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.