Dec 4: Renewal and Rest in Hope

 

"There is a quiet strength that comes from resting in hope; it renews the soul and calms the heart."

Dear Readers,

The cabin was tucked deep in the forest, its wooden walls blanketed by snow. Sarah had rented it for a month, desperate for a reprieve from the chaos of her life. For years, she had been running on empty, her days consumed by work and endless obligations.

The first few days were restless. Sarah woke early, her mind racing with unfinished to-do lists and nagging guilt about leaving her responsibilities behind. But as the week progressed, the forest began to work its magic.

She spent her mornings walking among the trees, her boots crunching through the snow. Afternoons were for reading by the fire, the warmth seeping into her bones as she sipped herbal tea. At night, she listened to the wind howling outside, a strange yet comforting lullaby.

One morning, Sarah stood outside, watching as the sun rose over the treetops. The light refracted off icicles, creating a cascade of colors that took her breath away. In that moment, she felt something shift within her a sense of renewal, as if the forest had breathed life back into her soul.

“This is hope,” she thought, “not in doing more, but in letting myself rest and trust that it’s enough.”

God Bless Us All…

Jacob M