The trail map at the beginning of the trailhead describes the path for the journey ahead. The description explained the mile long course in each direction contained some steps. The key word “some” steps taunted us along the way. My friend and I eagerly began the hike because of the promise that “hope is just around the corner“.
We set out along the tree – lined path, talking as friends do, and feeling quite confident that the mile long journey would be the perfect way to spend part of the afternoon. We arrived at a section of steps within the first tenth of the mile, but the challenge didn’t phase us. We began to climb to the top and a niggling feeling of this “may be harder than the description shared” grew. The knowing feeling spread in my mind that what goes up must come down and vice versa.
The promise of hope of what is to come at the end of the trail kept us trudging forward. The wooded path displayed beauty and the layers of vivid green, one on top of the other, captured the eye and filled the soul. We conquered each set of steps (and there were many) and before we knew it we were at a small summit. The woods gave way to a view through the trees that delivered the promise that “hope is just around the corner“.
You find hope in perseverance and the willingness to traverse many steps up and down. Hope is the clearing in the woods that opens up to more than you could imagine. You find hope along the path when you are not walking alone. You will find hope around the next corner.
My one word this year is hope. I still don’t understand the “why” behind this word God chose for me.  All I know is that each footstep forward is laced with hope. Every challenge along the way shows us there is hope in the messy.
My walk of many steps taught me about hope. The ups and downs turned into a lesson of hope. When God opened my heart to seeing the beauty along the path, I learned…
Sometimes you need to reach the end to find the beginning.
Endings and beginnings go hand in hand. When we embrace the closed door, God is on the other side of the open door. He is our hope.
Hope appears in the clearing that God prepares for us in our journeys.
The surprises we find on the path are God’s way of saying “keep your eyes focused”. You don’t want to miss the best part.
Walking the path of life with someone else, provides courage, perseverance and the ability to finish well.
Walking alone is difficult and warps your perspective, but inviting God’s presence into your life allows you to see clearly and finish well.
Keep your eyes and heart open to hope even if you cannot see it clearly.
We find hope just around the corner waiting to carry us forward so let God fill your hearts with love and grace as you embrace His hope.
[Tweet “We find God in our endings and beginnings. Invite Him into your life and you will find hope.”]
Today I pray these words from Psalm 25 for all of us.
Show me your ways, Lord,
teach me your paths.
5 Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:4-5
May we choose God as the guide and keeper of all hope and as we do may we find His hope in every footstep.
Blessings of grace along the way!
Linking up with these beautiful ladies!
and Dawn for Grace Moments
I love this:
“Sometimes you need to reach the end to find the beginning.
Endings and beginnings go hand in hand. When we embrace the closed door, God is on the other side of the open door. He is our hope.”
I’m in a period of ending and the whole situation is scary. But, I’m hoping in the Lord. I’m holding onto His promises, knowing fully well that they fail not. And, will lead me to where He wants me to be. Initially, I resented the idea but now, I’m learning to accept it and just follow where he leads (I’m learning to follow too. It doesn’t come naturally to me).
Endings and beginnings do go and in hand. God is the hope on the other side of the door that He is asking us to walk through. I am praying for you as you learn to accept where God is leading you.
“Sometimes you need to reach the end to find the beginning.” This has definitely been true for me, Mary. EnJOYed your inspiring post today, friend!
Thank you June! May our endings open up to beautiful new beginnings and explode with the hope of God. I am blessed you walk this journey with me.
Oh yeah … hope holds out her hand and causes us to remember that God has something for us just around the next bend.
I can’t wait to see what that might be!
Still traveling with you, friend …
Hope is good like that! It is there just when we need it and when we least expect it. God is the keeper of the hope and He loves to share it with all of us. Let’s explore the “just around the bend” together! Sending hugs your way.
Gorgeous pictures, Mary! I’m clinging to hope today right along with you. 🙂 xoxo
Thank you friend! I am so thankful that my friend and I stuck with the trail even though there were more than a few steps. 🙂 We will find hope along the way if we keep our focus on Jesus. Hugs and blessings!
I love this picture of holding onto hope! It totally is true! Hope is in every step we take when we focus on the end. Good reminder! Visiting from tellhisstory #9
Thank you Kristina! We are an instant gratification culture and we give up too easily. I am so thankful I didn’t give up that day because the beauty at the end of the trail was worth it. I’m blessed you joined me from #TellHisStory. Hope to see you again.
I love the thought the “Hope is just around the corner.” We just need to keep moving in the direction God lead us trusting in His sure hope. Blessings to you, Mary!
Yes, we need to keep going in the direction God is pointing to and not what our minds tell us to do. May we release our anxieties and know it all attitude and hold onto God, who is our hope. Thank you for being here Gayl! Blessings!
On Father’s Day, we went for a “hike” with our boys (a stroll for them), and I smiled as I read your words about hope around every corner. I kept saying, “Surely we’re almost to the top!”
How good of God to guide us and to give us the hope “that does not disappoint because the love of God is poured out in our hearts . . .”
Amen. My friend and I had a good laugh over the number of steps after we finished the hike. The description was way off but the view was worth it. We both decided it was the highlight of our trip. God does not disappoint. He comes by our side as we catch a glimpse of the view through the clearing and says “See what I did there”. He is hope and He is good. Thank you for sharing your story and for faithfully bringing me hope by showing up here each week. I am blessed by your friendship.
So true that when we invite God into our time when we are alone, He delivers us from our warped perspectives. That line gave me much hope today. Thank you Mary!
Thank you Lynn! I have periods of time when I am alone, but those are times I have the opportunity to grow closer to God. Those times are when my warped perspectives can be made clear by God. Having you here on this journey also brings me hope. Thank you friend!
“Hope is just around the corner.” I need that plastered on my forehead. 🙂 I can too easily give up hope that something will change but I’m glad the Lord surrounds me with reasons to believe otherwise! Thanks for being one of those reasons, Mary.
Today let’s hold onto hope knowing that it is in and through God that we will find the peace that comes with hope. I know I need to trust more and release my anxieties to God. This process will lead me to hope. Thank you for being here! Knowing there are friends on the same journey brings hope. Blessings!
Too many favorite lines to choose from! But, this hope girl loves this post. Why? Because…#hopechangeseverything xoxo
You are so sweet. I know you are the “hope” girl and I love the reminders you often share of that. I know that #hopechangeseverything Sending hugs your way!
Amen…this word HOPE has been loud in my life since yesterday. My hubby woke me up to remind me about the encounter between Elijah and Ahab in 1 Kings 18:43 where the servant went 7 times before he saw the cloud…that is hope.
Believing over and over, showing up again and again that an awaited miracle would come through even though nothing around us may look like it.
Thank you for sharing this. I needed this encouragement.
I am blessed that these words about hope were encouraging for you. I many times am writing about things God is teaching me or that I need to learn more about. I pray your time of bedrest will be ending soon if it hasn’t already. Hugs and blessings!
Such good encouragement here today, friend. I love this: “Sometimes you need to reach the end to find the beginning.” Great to remember for when I’m at the end of my rope!
Thank you for your sweet words. It seems that there is so much to learn in the endings. The beauty is that there always is a new beginning on the other side. I pray you are doing well with your transition back home. I have been praying for you and your family. Sending hugs your way.