Hope for the future

Katrina Harrmann

I just love it when my seed catalogs arrive in the mail this time of year! I like to take a day—in the deepest, darkest part of winter—to page through the glossy pages, dreaming and planning my spring garden. It feels rebellious—as though a small part of me refuses to acknowledge the snow and bitter temperatures and hopes for something more.

And as I glance through the photos of beets and turnips and flowers of every color imaginable, it reminds me how important it is to have a hope for the future and to nurture my faith in God daily so that I can grow spiritually strong.

“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” (Romans 15:13).

The dark winter will come. It always does. It happens in the seasons of our own lives as well … times when we’ll need to have those seeds of faith ready to germinate into something really amazing that’s ready to break forth in its time.

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you” (Psalm 39:7).

How do we nurture our faith during hard times? Not with a seed catalog! But through prayer, Scripture, and meeting with other Christians.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Devotional used by permission of Time of Grace®. For more information, visit www.timeofgrace.org