Hope for More

There are only 5 days until Christmas and you can feel it in the air... anxiety, that is! People are hustling and bustling, just as the song says, buying this and buying that; fussing, pushing, celebrating and consuming. Just the other night, my good friend found her self in a car accident- the victim of an overstressed mom, trying to make her way down the highway towards the mall, no doubt.

I think it's hilarious how, during this time of year, people seem to loose their minds. The media is full of stories highlighting disgruntled customers and impatient people during this time of year, yet, in spite of such, underneath all the frantic reactions to this particular holiday, people are really just excited and hopeful that this year will be their year for peace, love and joy, as is the undertone of the season. This year, they might have the perfect gift, or the perfect family get together; this year, maybe broken relationships will be mended, or new romances started. Maybe this year...

As I sit back and look at my own wrapped gifts, I suddenly feel a hope for peace, love and joy myself. I hope for a closeness with family members that is just as effortless on their part as it is on mine. I hope to see my daughter grow up to be smart, kind and passionate for Christ. I hope to see my husband fulfill all of his goals and dreams and I hope to one day buy my father a boat. I hope for love to arrive in the lives of each of my friends. I hope to grow closer to God. I hope to grow closer to myself.
In my opinion, each hope that we have is like a wrapped Christmas box. We know there is something inside that must be worth the fuss of gold paper and bows, but without a giver, we will never receive what ever the gift may be. Hope is a beautiful thing. It gives us drive to do the impossible and requires a faith in what is yet to come. There is strength in hoping and lovely anticipation for the revealing of what we hope for, but hoping must have a source, otherwise it is not hope. It's merely a wish.

The cry of humanity is peace. The hope of humanity is in finding a way to usher in that peace. We sign treaties that fail, make promises that are broken, ask favors that are never returned and demand justice that is only biased. The answer to our problems is a state of peace, but what source are we hoping in? If our hope is in the government, then we will surely be let down. If our source is in our money or in our success, it will be short lived. Are we hoping in that new relationship- if so, any signs of an argument could propel us into fear, not peace. If I merely hope in my ability to attain a result, it may never come to fruition; but if I hope in a source greater than myself, then odds are, I will receive what is best for me, concerning the results in which I hope for. Jesus wants to be that source for you. He wants to be what you most hope in and hope for. The idea of gift giving is not merely of habitual tradition; it's a spiritual reality, wrapped in love, and culminated at the birth of a Prince of Peace that the world continues to hope for; though they do not always recognize it.

"For unto us a child is born...And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."- Isaiah 9:6

The peace that we hope for, pray for and fight for, can only be attained through the love of Christ. When we put our hope in Him, he delivers those results in our personal lives, and one day, will deliver those results for the souls of the whole world. When our hope is in Him, we will never be disappointed.
As we embark on yet, another Christmas, I urge us all to take some time to consider things that we hope for. What is it that our hearts truly long to see? Is it peace of mind on our jobs? Marriage? Children? A new promotion at work? Health for a family member? Direction for our dreams? Whatever it is that we want, consider the source we are using to realize these things. Is this source dependable, reliable or trustworthy? Can we expect this source to be a permanent answer, or will it only be temporary? Our hopes and dreams are too valuable to leave up to chance and our longing for peace is too precious to entrust with anyone other than the Lord. Trust in Him to give you what you need. He will never disappoint or fail you. His gifts are eternal and HIs promises are sure.

This Christmas, as we hope for peace in our hearts and peace on Earth, remember the one who was born to give us just these things! In Christ, we do not hope in vain and the peace He promises is everlasting and wrapped in love for all to receive, if we just believe!

An early Merry Christmas to you all!

~Pearls

Here are some inspiring ambitions that we Hope for. We know that Jesus is our source for all things and we have peace in our hearts in knowing that He will give us exactly what we need.

Looking Forward

So, the elation of Christmas has waned away from our stores, tv channels and malls, but not from our hearts. I trust you all were able to enjoy your family and friends as much as I have- focusing on what really matters. One of the beauties about our relationship with The Lord is that our understanding and joy endures beyond the Christmas sales and songs, because we know that our King Jesus doesn't dissapate with the lights or the trees! He is ever present, waiting for instruction from the Father for His second coming, Amen! (Matthew 16:27)

Keeping all this in mind, I did enjoy my family, but sadly, I had to tell my baby brother goodbye today. Actually, he isn't a baby anymore. He stands at 6'2, has a scruffy beard, works for a very lucrative company and sometimes forgets that I am Big Sister! He is my oldest and dearest friend- there is no other like him in my life. He saw me when I was desperately trying to be someone I wasn't. He loved me in my wrecklessness and I loved him in his. We have a strong love bond, as I suppose most siblings have- yet I am continually thankful that our friendship and love goes beyond DNA or experiences- we both love Jesus too. In only one short year, my brother has truly blossomed into a dynamic Jesus follower. What a difficult time he gave us all in College! The choices he made and some of the friends he kept- only the power of God and lots of prayer is responsible for the beauty and success that has finally developed within his life! We are both the products of a praying family!

This past Christmas, and every time I am with my brother, I relish in our time together- laughing, talking, teaching each other about God... It's a special time that I never want to end. It gave me such a happiness to accidently run in on his quiet time with Jesus. In between the jokes and the pranks that he is so famous for, there were many instances where he would walk away from the clatter to find a quiet room and open his Bible to be alone with The Lord! His life is a wonderful testimony of what God can do, and has done in this family.
This morning, as what always happens, I got a lump in my throat at the fact that he would once again get on that plane, fly back to Texas and leave me behind. Even now, I am chocking back tears, because- just being honest- I don't always like the idea that others get all his time or that I can't just drive over to see him. I sometimes feel as if I'm missing out because we are not physically together. So, this morning, while my heart was flooding and my eyes were burning, a very true and sweet thought came to me- Ben will come back soon.

In our walks with Jesus, do we gather peace from the fact that Jesus is coming back soon? Are we anticipating the return of our Savior? Do we long for the day that we will have the opportunity to talk with him, physically, and spend quality time with him- face to face? The tragedy of our society is that, although associated with the term "Christian", our culture soon forgets about Jesus, much as they soon forget about the lights on the trees. But the story of Jesus doesn't end in the manger and it doesn't end on the cross, either! That sweet baby that angels sang about grew up! He became a man. He loved the wreckless, He helped the broken, He challenged the hypocrites and He died for us all- yet He still lives on, by the tremendously powerful love of God, who raised Him from the dead so that our sins could be wiped clean. It is this Jesus who has given His word to us that He will come back soon! The Angels also supported this truth when they reminded the disciples at the ascension of Christ:

 

"They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

- Acts 1:10-11

Our hope for Jesus goes beyond day to day, or year to year. The peace and joy and love that is attempted to be celebrated during the Christmas season can be a regular truth in our lives when we put our trust in Jesus- anxiously waiting for His return while living a life that will make Him proud to come back for us! 

In three weeks, Ben will come back with a special friend of his, whom I am so excited to meet! We will laugh and talk and hug and get Starbucks coffee, as we always do. He and his friend will join my husband and I and some mutual friends for more laughs and talks and fun. I will tell him that I missed him and he will tell me the same. I look forward to that, when all the puzzle pieces of my life will be back together again, at least for a little while.
Seeing Ben get on that plane to leave is painful, but knowing that he will soon board another plane to return makes me glad and helps put Christ's return in a new perspective for me... I want to live a life that is anticipating the return of Jesus, as well! I want to keep my heart and my eyes waiting for the day that He comes back for me and for you, too! Out of all the celebrations and all of the homecomings, His will be the most spectacular and, unfortunately, the most terrifying return ever known to man. Only He won't be returning on a plane, but in the clouds! I want to be in the crowd who is ready and excited to see Jesus and His return, don't you? 

Get ready, girls. Jesus will be back soon!

~Pearls

 

Merry Christmas!!!

From our Hearts to Yours, we would like to send a very special, "Merry Christmas", to all of our readers, families and friends! As we gather together with our loved ones, it is so important that we take time to meditate on all the blessings and wonders that The Lord has given to us- starting especially with His Son, Jesus! On Christmas Day, we can be thankful that the greatest miracle was wrapped in human flesh as an eternal gift to all who will believe and obey! Thank you Jesus, for your love and the beauty that your love brings to our lives!

We pray that you all will continue to enjoy the love and happiness of this very special season, finding ways to share the blessings that God have given to you with those around you! Remember, we set aside this time to celebrate the Giver, and not the gift!

Merry Christmas!!!!

~Pearls

Boxes Full of Love

Every year, around this time, millions of churches, families and homes participate in filling and wrapping shoe boxes full of Christmas gifts for children around the world. These boxes are then donated to Operation Christmas Child, through Samaritan's Purse. This year, Pearls of Hope was among the many who supported such a beautiful and worthy cause. Together, we stuffed toys and hygiene items for a special child in a country or village that we will probably never know about. Our "Shoe Box" party was super fun! We made hot chocolate and cookies, ordered a pizza and laughed along to the sounds of Christmas music and packaging tape!

It was an impactful experience and opportunity to give, not only tangible gifts that we bought, but also extend eternal love and the message of Jesus to a special child and family!

Operation Christmas Child is a beautiful organization, that provides aids to children and their families, internationally. Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries around the world. International headquarters are in our home state of North Carolina, with additional U.S. facilities in Charlotte and North Wilkesboro, N.C. Affiliate offices are in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Hong Kong, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Field offices are located in some 20 countries across five continents.

Samaritan’s Purse seeks to specialize in emergency relief, shelter, water and sanitation, food and nutrition, medical care and public health, HIV/AIDS, and community-based livestock and livelihood projects.The organization aims at service for the church worldwide to propagate "the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ".

We are honored to play a small role in this years shoe box collection. If you feel impressed upon to get involved, we strongly encourage  you to do so! Please visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ to see how you and your church/group can also get involved in this amazing program and outreach opportunity!

Don't Stop Giving!

~Pearls