Hope While Answers Tarry

A few weeks ago I took these pictures and thought they would make great visuals for a blog entry titled "Hope".  See the vibrant green peeking out from the frozen earth?  Hope that new life is ready to burst forth.

I have heard that in Kentucky the ladies are already planting their gardens!  But here in Pa that is not typical until Memorial Day!  So March is an unpredictable month of warm teases of the sun and blistering snow storms.

April cannot come soon enough for me- the calendar guarantee that Spring is here.  I love the snowy winters here, truly, but this winter seems to have dragged.  I am so ready for Spring with new life, new opportunities, dreams to be realized.

And you know what?  Yesterday the gray sky opened and huge,white, wet flakes descended heavily upon my world.  I was not happy about it!  "Wait!  It is supposed to be 60 degrees!  I will even take 50 degrees with sunshine!"  Instead my daffodil greens got blanketed with ice.

I could not help but feeling that Nature was a parallel picture of my soul....HOPE DEFERRED.

Seems that my hopeful, happy expectancies of a few weeks ago are running dry.  No answer to my prayers.  No change in circumstance...the same cold wind and icy ground.

I took this picture yesterday.

Instead of breathing hope- the sign was mocking me.  "Spring Returns..."  Not yet! Winter drags...........and then snows again.

But thankfully the gentle Voice spoke to me,
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  (See Romans 15:13 NIV)

"Yes, Lord.  Though answers tarry.  YOU are Hope. The Stirrer of dreams.  The One who makes the flowers rise out of the frozen earth.  I will believe You and Your promises and patiently wait."

Beloved, what are you hoping for? a loved one to know salvation?  work for your husband?  circumstance to change?  HOPE in God. Trust.  Believe.  Your soul will be put at peace and filled with JOY as you expect. Even as the answer tarries.

Today I look at the same flag outside my front door.  TODAY it reads-  "Yes, Spring Returns- It is on its way!"