H.O.P.E.

 Well here goes . . . 

I've tried to do this "blog" thing so many times and always end up hitting the "delete" button.  This time I hope to hit the "post" button instead and that the words I share will be an encouragement to someone.

Just a brief note about why my blog is called "High Heels and Meadow Muffins."  When the two shall meet it's messy to say the least, but in the end you find the humor of it all.  Life is like high heels and meadow muffins.  You may "dress for success," be in your "zone," be "on top of it," etc. etc. and then . . . well then real life happens and you step right into the doodoo.  There are also times when you choose to dig right in and boldly step through whatever is in the path --- because sometimes what is on the other side of the meadow muffins is a beautiful pasture full of hopes and dreams.  A place where fresh air, mountain views and peaceful days are endless.  I was once a high heeled career girl who traded those shoes in for a life in the back woods of Maine where I quickly fell in love with farming, raising cattle, gardening, homeschooling, homesteading and even the smell of meadow muffins.  :)  (I will share more on that journey as I write additional posts.)

In this first post I want to share my view of Hope . . . 

Why Hope?  Because I feel like so many people feel hopeless these days -- which is such a state of helplessness and despair . . . A place that is dark and often full of fear and heavy burdens making each moment hard to endure . . .  

The Bible -- Yes, I did just say, the Bible (a taboo word these days I know, but I'm going there because it is where ALL Truth -- the only Truth -- can be found) says that  .  .  . "hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."  (Italics added for emphasis - verses found in Romans 8:24-25.)  

What we see in this dark world can never be unseen.  What we hear, experience,  know, learn etc. can't be unknown to us (unless you have amnesia or grow old enough to forget ;) ).  This world and this life is full of hopeless, helpless moments, but the hope we can have and hold tight to is unseen -- and yet it is the most fulfilling, peaceful, and joyous thing we can possess.  The only good in this life is God and His plans for each one of us are so marvelous we could scarce fathom them.  "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."   (Jeremiah 29:11-13)  

And here is the most awesome part of this . . . once you believe in the "unseen" it is then revealed to us in the seen!

No, I'm really not crazy . . .  I read this line in a Bible study book recently "How you see is what you get."  (From the Chosen, 40 days with Jesus Book 1)  When we have a different perspective on things we see it totally different.  Hope in what God's plans are for your life give you a whole different view.  You will "see" with new eyes.  Even in the darkness, you will see light.  No matter where you live,  where you are, or what your circumstances are you can see anew.  

Here are some of the things I see hope in .  .  . a newborn babies breath; laughter of an innocent child; clouds that roll by in a blue endless sky; sunrise of each new day (even when it rains); moonlight nights and starry skies; beaches; mountains; wildlife; birds; seasons . . .  My list is long . . . hugs; smiles; new opportunities; new chances; forgiveness; beginnings; endings; learning new things; trying something different;  and so much more . . . BUT all of that only gives me glimpses -- so I can see and understand that there so much more --- there is the ultimate hope . . . Hope in the eternal . . . Oh, how awesome Heaven will be . . . 

Hope in something even greater -- because let's face it, you could list a counter negative thing to all the things in my hope list.  This life is NOT all there is and I'm hugely grateful for that.  No one is perfect and we let each other down with each moment we are alive -- I'm convinced of that.  No matter how much you love someone or how hard you try, and they try, you can't do it -- not perfectly.  This world is CRAZY and full of things that counter hope at every turn.  Fighting, fury, wars, destruction, diseases, death, evil, cruelty . . . things that scar us, and take us to places that some can just barely survive.  We are offended at EVERYTHING, we judge each other, hurt each other, "cancel" each other, and so much more.  So to put our "hope" in anything here is futile. 

And before any impression is given that I lead a "charmed" or "prosperous" life, I will share that my road in the meadow muffins has been challenging.  I've seen times where bills piled up; kids were sick, appliances broke; money was scarce; harsh winters made wood chores extra hard and left us without power for days.  There were times when clearing our land to build our homestead dream seemed impossible.  There were days when I would get a call at my local part time job saying, "Your cows are out and the fence is broken."  There were days when I cried out to my husband and to God, "Why oh why did you choose me to homeschool my kids, have a farm, lead 4-H, and do this life!  I'm tired and so not right for any of these things . . . "  There were days when I wondered about the why and the how of each step and each new day.  We were "homesteading," before "homesteading" became a thing and if you had told me then that there would be blessings beyond my dreams, I would have told you that I seriously doubted that . . .   (More on our homesteading and farm life to come.)

But in it all, I KNEW that God would never let me down.  I certainly cried my share of tears in the tough moments, and I told Him of my frustrations, my fears, my worries . . . But you know what?  He, and only He can KNOW, really KNOW, really understand my every thought . . . He, and only he, can give my heart peace . . . and He always does . . . He NEVER, EVER lets me down . . . 

HOPE in the eternal . . . Now that is everything.  God will never leave us or forsake us and His love covers ALL . . . 

Side note -- one of my greatest joys is art -- and in the past decade or so, photography . . .  My husband (and greatest earthly hero), Tim does videography and I stick to the traditional still photographs.  We have a Facebook page and YouTube Channel called Dirt Road Pix, where we strive to share God's awesome blessings in nature and wildlife.  Check it out some time! :)  

H.O.P.E.