Heart Hope by Olga

It was a glorious summer morning—cool and crisp with not a cloud in the sky, a perfect day for a morning hike. So off to the Avon to Singletree Connector trail I strode. Praise and worship music was chosen for my walk with the Lord. Meet with Me, Majesty, and Lord Most High set the tone for the hike, but as I climbed higher and saw the wonder of my surroundings I became overcome with emotions. The beauty of the earth pointed to the goodness of God. Alone in a quiet spot, gazing across the valley toward Arrowhead, the song I Worship You Almighty God began playing. I stopped, closed my eyes, and raised my hands in praise of my Heavenly Father. In the stillness of the moment, I felt movement and opened my eyes to an oncoming pair of bikers. My first thought was, “I wonder what they think I was doing,” but I quickly dispelled the message in my mind and hoped that they knew that they had come upon holy ground for I was meeting with God in that moment. Psalm 96:9 Worship...

What’s wrong with people? Why are they so impatient? Why do they feel so entitled? Can’t they just enjoy being in the moment? What’s the hurry? My two flights were not connecting and the wonderful agent was helping me get my bag connected through to my final destination in our small Eagle Airport. When I walked up to the counter to check in, there was no one in sight, so the agent in the priority lane offered to assist, but after a few minutes of locating all of the information for my itinerary, a couple walked up and were distressed over having to wait to get their bags checked in. The man proceeded to make all kinds of comments about having to wait so long…maybe 3 minutes. What was in in such a hurry for? Was it so he could go and wait in the security line? Or perhaps it was to wait at the gate? Or maybe it was to wait on the plane for takeoff? I wondered how he was feeling after all of the delays and then to top it off, we were ready for takeoff when the pilot came ...

The computer was docked, the phone cut off, the credit card cut up, the proxy card and parking passes turned in and the name plate removed from the door. An employee was leaving to take a new job. It seemed to me how quickly we can be gone and replaced from our jobs and from life. Here today and gone tomorrow. None of us are guaranteed another day. How often have we heard about a sudden and unexpected death of a loved one, a friend or an acquaintance? Therefore we must make the most of every opportunity to love well, live well and speak kindly. People come and go in our lives whether as neighbors, friends, coworkers, church or some other arena. We must make the most of every opportunity. So, if  you need to forgive, forgive. If you need to commend, do so publicly. If you need to encourage, offer up those words to lift someone's spirits. If you need to give, give wholeheartedly. And if you need to change in some way, what are you waiting for?  We have...

I did absolutely nothing, however I was able to board an airplane without paying. And then another phenomenon occurred. I was asked if I wanted to sit in first class, again for no reason. The ticket and upgrade were free for me, but they did cost something for someone. My friend that is a flight attendant had to "pay" for them by working for the company. My salvation is a free gift to me also, but it did cost greatly. Jesus had to pay the price. And it was not just because He worked for it, but because He gave His life for it. Lord, help me not to take for granted the huge sacrifice that You paid for me. But help me to be grateful each and every day that You willingly paid it and chose me to be a part of your family, thank you. Ephesians 2:8-9    For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.   www.hearthope.org