Heart Choices: 2015-11-29 -->

Theme Layout

Boxed or Wide or Framed

Theme Translation

Display Featured Slider

Featured Slider Styles

Display Grid Slider

Grid Slider Styles

Display Trending Posts

Display Author Bio

Display Instagram Footer

Dark or Light Style

One Word Advent: Hope


I've been silent lately on Heart Choices. My heart has been overflowing with things I want to share but time has been limited. I continue to write in my journal each day as the Lord is teaching me.

As I enter this season of Christmas, I knew I wanted to join with Bonnie Gray of Faith Barista for One Word Advent. Today we are linking up to write on the word HOPE.

This morning I woke up with a song on my  heart.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives all fear is gone.
Because I know, I know He holds the future.
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

(Because He Lives by Bill Gaither)

I emphasized the words I know because that is the hope I hold deeply in my heart. It is not a worldly hope like "I hope I win the lottery". It is a hope based on the Word of God.


I can tell you from personal experience that God is trustworthy and faithful.

I've had moments in my life when I didn't know what I was going to do and how I was going to get through some very challenging times. He has sustained me and given me His strength. When I lost all material possessions, I learned to place my HOPE in Him. People can let you down but God never will. I came to realize that He has a plan for my life and His plans are always good.

If I could only have one prayer answered in my life, it would be that my loved ones would know Jesus in a personal relationship and walk with Him. This has been an ongoing prayer of mine as our family expands with new babies.

Over Thanksgiving I flew to Florida to spend time with family. My dad is going to turn 87 years old on his next birthday and he faces some health challenges. I wanted to spend time with him. I also wanted to see my brother and sister and their families. Although I was unable to have children, I have nieces and nephews who are now married and starting their own families. What a joy to hold their little ones in my arms.



I was delighted to learn that my niece and her husband have found a church. Their children are attending Sunday School! I asked little Kenzie what she learns in Sunday School. She told me about the crafts and the songs. I asked her if they teach her about Jesus. She looked up at me very innocently and said, "Jesus is God". 

Praise God who answers prayer. I can have HOPE.

No matter where I am or what I'm doing, I always want to be able to share that hope with others.


Although I don't work in a Christian school, I pray that I would be a light to point others to Jesus. I pray that others would realize where I place my hope. I want to always live out 1 Peter 3:15.

How thankful I am that God sent Jesus into this world to save us. He gave us free will but He also gave us the way to have peace with God. I have received this free gift of life and so I can live with HOPE.

So I have a question for you.

If you could have only one prayer answered in this life, what would it be?

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
[name=DEBBIE PETRAS] [img=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFJVPMbOdvnnAWibKZdwPabEM01zxrBxqngtQd92EREjOQ0mIw3Z-d9vt7rV4vS0_tTNvpQoN0Ec-Uvt1kSf1YwFDZzrVagGbjWfQXV0fEqpcK3Gjrg1toowBP4IgU-7qQ4Z_JlJMjBG8/s1600/Debbie+Face+blog.JPG] [description=]