One Year Book of Hope Week 1 Weekend

Reflection

I hear untruths in my mind like I'm not a good mother and I don't deserve more children or if I pray hard enough/am a good enough Christian, I'll earn another child.

I am determined to trust God with my future. That is evident in my life from my actions and my words (I hope).

Meditation

God, you know how broken I am. You are beginning to put me back together. You know the desires of my heart fully. You know how my heart yearns for another child, but that yearning is slowly being replaced by a yearning for You and for that, I praise You! My spirit was withering, but I am slowly being renewed. Thank You, thank You, thank You! You hear my every prayer. I feel like metal that is being reshaped. I had to be beaten and melted down before I could become something new, beautiful and useful again. Lord, please help me to feel Your presence. I desperately need to know You hear me. I want to desire You before anything else.

Prayer

I praise You Lord. You are big enough for all of my worries, fears and insecurities. I trust You with my future. You have plans for me that are better than the ones I have for myself. I know that no matter what happens to me or my family, I can trust You.

NIV Jeremiah 29:11 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.

Thank you Lord for loving me as Your child. You care more for me than I could possibly comprehend. You have seen each and every hurt that I have felt, and cried with me. I have never been alone.

The Message Psalm 56:8 You've kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book.

Lord, I pray for my family and friends who are going through tough situations. I pray that You would use their trials to soften their hearts so that they would be more open to You. Please don't let their hearts be hardened during their troubles. Thank You, Lord.

Sweet Mercies

A broken heart and a contrite spirit

You have yet to deny

Your heart of mercy beats with love’s strong current

Let the river flow

By Your spirit now

Lord, we cry