Be strong and take heart

Psalm 31:24 states "be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord". I had a light-bulb moment the other day in regards to hope. My hope has always been in the Lord, but more in an eternal life sort of way. I knew that no matter what happened to me here on earth, my hope was in the Lord that I would live with him forever in heaven. I can honestly say for the better part of my life though, my day to day hope has been in myself, my husband, my job, my kids, my bank account. Sure I have hope in Him for the big stuff, but not the daily things. Until now. There is something about the possibility of having your life as you know it turned upside down that gives you new perspective. These last few weeks should have kept me in bed crying all day. My son starting school, DH job issues, leadership challenges for me, house issues. Remarkably though, I have been at peace. No wait, not just at peace, but happy.....and hopeful. This marathon we've been running has been exhausting for our family. Many times we have wanted to throw in the towel and lay down on the pavement crying "I quit!" But there is something about seeing that finish line that gives you renewed strength. Vigor to keep going. It's the hope I have in Jesus. "And we know that in all things God works for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" Romans 8:28. I know that God is working all of this because he loves us, and we have committed our ways before him. God has placed in our hearts a vision for our family that doesn't match up to how we are living. Those changes are coming, and the hope I have through the difficult times is that Jesus is with me in the daily things; the little and the big decisions. My time with Him is precious to me now and He is showing me glimpses every day of how our life is going to be on this new path He is placing us. That is the hope we have in Jesus. I get it now.