Hope Beyond the Picket Fence

Apr 22, 2012 | Faith

When I first started writing this blog, it was part of my own journey, processing a life that wasn’t what I anticipated. It was grasping at someone (anyone) out there in Christendom whose life wasn’t perfect.

You know, the picket fence thing?

It was an attempt to be real with others when I needed a soft place to land after crashing and burning so many times before.

Life Beyond the Picket Fence.

Acknowledgement that even with a picket fence, there’s still crap on the other side. At least for our picket fence. It borders our garden that has fresh with manure on it as we speak.

I’ve limitedly shared what’s behind the broken fence because, to be honest, it’s still too fresh. The pain a little too deep and the vulnerability it brings a little too scary. Yet I share it in a heartbeat to those who need hope of a living God who redeems lives and restores the years the locusts have eaten. (Joel 2:25)

Hope. Something I’ve needed many times but couldn’t find. Something I was so desperate for but could not hold on to.

I’m convinced one of the most healing elements of humanity is hope. Not false hope, but real hope.

Hope that things can change.

Hope there is choice in change.

Hope that God comes through when people don’t.

Hope that in our pain, we are not alone.

Hope that in the midst of pain and struggle, God is still good.

Hope that He is doesn’t leave or forsake.

Hope that other Christians struggle, too.

And above all else, hope that while people fail, God never does.

God taught me this principle years and years ago, and every once in a while I have to return to it. A passage ringing in my mind is one we can take great comfort in, no matter what our life looks like beyond the fence. Cling to it today if you need to. It’s the hope that never fails.

Ephesians 3:16-18

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power,

together with all the Lord’s holy people,

to grasp how

wide

and

long

and

high

and

deep

is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge –

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

And now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more

that all we ask

or imagine,

according to His power that is at work within us,

to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

for ever and ever, Amen!

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1 Comment

Denise on April 27, 2012 at 12:20 pm

One of my favorite verses! What do we have to cling to if not hope? I find myself turning to God with so many "hopes" and prayers for this, that, and everything, and what keeps me going is His faithful loving grace and answered prayers! I love your picket fence analogy! :)Blessings and hugs sister!Denise

Hope Beyond the Picket Fence

Uncomplicated

1 Comment

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