• Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

in Uncategorized

Hope is (blank)?

Whether 2016 ended on a high note, or we couldn’t get outta there fast enough—one thing each new year carries across the threshold of time is — Hope.

Isn’t that January’s song? Our hopes for the year ahead?

It’s an evolution, hope.
Ever growing, living, speaking.

I wonder—how is hope showing up in your life lately?

At the start of this barely unwrapped year, here’s my attempt to fill in the blank:

Hope is dawn’s awakening, drawing the morning sky.

Hope is the ocean returning wave upon wave, and the rustle of wind in the trees.
Which, if you suspend sight—let your ears do the seeing—
they sing the same song, the waves and the wind.

Hope is a warm supper around a generational table.

Hope is a toddler’s tiny feet in daddy’s big shoes.

Hope is January. Hope is December. Hope is Eternal.

Hope is a letter in the mail, a chair on the porch, a tree in season. Any season.

Hope is time. Time to be. To dream. To listen. To love.

Hope is before. Hope is after. Hope is in the midst.

Hope is a grace of God. Always given at just the right time.

Hope is the gospel of the daily, the faith of the future, the redemption of the past.

Hope is back roads, porch lights, rocking chairs and fireflies.

Hope is Christmas. Hope is Easter. Hope is Thursday.

Hope is the essence of “But, God,” the fabric of faith, the secret of old.

Hope

The believer’s anthem. The Spirit’s praise.

What about you? How would you fill in the blank? Hope is __________.


<a href="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/chasing-community/"><img  src="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Linkup-button.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="250" /></a>

It’s a casual, pony-tail & sandals environment around here, but a few important reminders:

  • Please remember to visit and leave some encouragement for other friends who’ve linked-up today — this is the heart of community & your words of support could be just the thing another friend needs to hear today.
  • Please only share like-minded words of spiritual encouragement and insight.
  • Please grab the #ChasingCommunity button, or link back here underneath your post. (So others can find us and join the fun too!)
  • By linking up & leaving your email address you agree to receive #ChasingCommunity updates.

Thank you for bringing your dish to the table–May your ministry of words find community here.

Ministry+Friends=Fun. I’m linking up today with my friends at #ChasingCommunity. Come join us!
Tweet This
 Loading InLinkz ...

* This week’s linkup is closed, but we’ll meet you back here on Thursday for another #ChasingCommunity!

 

45 Comments

Thanks for the Company!

Subscribe to receive updates and 15 lovely printables created just for YOU!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

« Winners and Words
If My People »

Comments

  1. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    January 19, 2017 at 6:17 am

    Brenda,
    Hope is having good friends to walk alongside you during hard times reminding you tomorrow will be better.

    Blessings sweet friends,
    Bev
    Bev @ Walking Well With God recently posted…Oh To Be On FireMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:04 pm

      Love that, Bev. Good friends are gold, aren’t they? Thanks for sharing. 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  2. Linda Stoll says

    January 19, 2017 at 6:55 am

    Yes … let’s hold up hope for each other, Brenda!
    Linda Stoll recently posted…How Can I Pray For You Today?My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:05 pm

      Let’s! ((Hug))

      Reply
  3. Megs says

    January 19, 2017 at 7:09 am

    Hope is happiness. I’m learning a lot about how God wants us to be happy people this week.
    Happy Thursday! Visiting from the #ThoughtProvokingThursday linkup.
    Megs

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:08 pm

      Hope and happiness are very intertwined, aren’t they? Thanks for sharing that, Meg. 🙂 ((hug))

      Reply
  4. Michele Morin says

    January 19, 2017 at 7:48 am

    “Hope is the essence of ‘but God'” I love that phrase! Thanks for words of hope on this snowy Thursday!
    Michele Morin recently posted…Till We Have Faces (3): Holiness and HorrorMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:10 pm

      oooh, is it snowy in Maine? Wish it were snowy here. 🙂 Love snowy days. Thanks for being here, Michele and for being such a wise and faithful mentor to so many of us. xoxo

      Reply
  5. Sherry Stahl says

    January 19, 2017 at 7:49 am

    Hope is knowing that God has been with me in the past, He’s with me today and He’ll be with me in whatever my tomorrow looks like.
    ~Sherry Stahl
    xoxo
    Sherry Stahl recently posted…{New Series} New BeginningsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:12 pm

      Yes…today, tomorrow, and yesterday — He’s got it all covered in Hope. I like that, Sherry. Thanks for sharing. ((hug))

      Reply
  6. Kristi Woods says

    January 19, 2017 at 7:57 am

    Hope is Jesus. 😉

    Reply
    • Nicki Schroeder says

      January 19, 2017 at 8:11 am

      Amen! 🙂
      Nicki Schroeder recently posted…Spread A Little SonShine Wherever You GoMy Profile

      Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      For real! So true. Love that, Kristi, thanks for sharing. 🙂 ((hug))

      Reply
  7. Nicki Schroeder says

    January 19, 2017 at 8:11 am

    Hope is the essence of “But God,” I like that Brenda. So true!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:14 pm

      Thanks for coming by and sharing, Nicki. 🙂 ((hug))

      Reply
  8. Laura Rath says

    January 19, 2017 at 8:17 am

    Wow, Brenda, the post I’m linking up is all about hope! Hope is…always ours through Christ.
    Laura Rath recently posted…Hope When You Can’t Fix ItMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:18 pm

      Always ours — love that, Laura. How fun that we’re both writing about hope this week. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, today. ((hug))

      Reply
  9. Michele O'Leary says

    January 19, 2017 at 8:18 am

    Hope is His promises.

    Beautiful, Brenda.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:19 pm

      Yes — His promises. Isn’t that so true?! Thanks for sharing, Michele. 🙂 xoxo

      Reply
  10. Lesley says

    January 19, 2017 at 8:45 am

    “Hope is the essence of “but God.”” That sums it up beautifully. Hope comes from believing that God can bring something good from it, somehow, no matter how bad it seems.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:21 pm

      I hadn’t thought of it that way before, Lesley. I like that. 🙂 Thanks for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Jill says

    January 19, 2017 at 8:59 am

    Hope is eternal hits it home for me. It’s His never-ending presence in the midst of the unknown. Thanks for the reminders, Brenda!
    Jill recently posted…What Got in the Way?My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      Presence…I like that, Jill. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and being so supportive. xoxo

      Reply
  12. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    January 19, 2017 at 9:14 am

    Hope is what I feel when I watch my daughter!
    Lisa/Syncopated Mama recently posted…Where Does LOVE Hide? by Mary Manz Simon, illustrated by Hannah WoodMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:25 pm

      Awe, how sweet is that, Lisa?! 🙂 A future full of hope. Thanks for coming by and sharing, today. 🙂

      Reply
  13. Dawn says

    January 19, 2017 at 10:49 am

    Such a soul-filling offering, Brenda. Beautiful and encouraging. Hope is the potential moments where we wait for God and we see that He has always been there.

    Thanks for this.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:26 pm

      That’s beautiful, Dawn. I love that. Thanks for sharing! ((hug))

      Reply
  14. Julie says

    January 19, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    Hope is God has already gone before me, knows what I will experience and holds out His hand to me. I don’t have to be fearful!

    #gracemoments

    I’m glad to be joining your linkup too! 🙂
    Julie recently posted…7 Questions I’m Asking My Husband this YearMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:28 pm

      An absence of fear — oooh, I need to linger on that one. Thank you for sharing that, Julie. 🙂 And, thanks for coming by and sharing today, nice to meet you! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Paris Renae says

    January 19, 2017 at 1:34 pm

    Brenda , love this : ) hope is eternal -God with us -Jesus for us -and Holy Spirit in us…

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:30 pm

      Well, we can’t ask for more hope than that, can we? Beautiful, Paris. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

      Reply
  16. Victor S E Moubarak says

    January 19, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    Hope is to be sure without any evidence.

    God bless.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:34 pm

      So true, Victor. Welcome! Thanks for coming by and sharing today. 🙂

      Reply
  17. Joanne Viola says

    January 19, 2017 at 3:11 pm

    Hope is knowing that our God is with us and will get us through. Blessings!
    Joanne Viola recently posted…A Healthy UnityMy Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 19, 2017 at 3:31 pm

      Love it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Joanne. 🙂 ((hug))

      Reply
  18. Ruth says

    January 19, 2017 at 9:57 pm

    I like your idea of the wind and the waves singing the same song of hope!
    For me the ultimate Hope is Jesus, Savior, and coming again to make things right and to bring us to glory.

    Reply
  19. Maree Dee says

    January 21, 2017 at 9:48 am

    Hope is knowing God is in charge and he will bring good out of everything.
    Maree Dee recently posted…Do Not WorryMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Lux G. says

    January 22, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Hope is keeping the fight because you know there will be victory in the end. 🙂
    Inspiring!

    Reply
  21. Dianne Thornton says

    January 24, 2017 at 9:22 pm

    Lovely to find your linkup, Brenda! Hope is knowing that your young adult children are in God’s hands! He knows where they will go to college and how they’ll get there. Hope is knowing that even though the lessons are hard for them, they aren’t too hard. Hope is knowing they are learning to leaning on Him on their own. 🙂
    Dianne Thornton recently posted…Do You Bear the Family Resemblance?My Profile

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      January 26, 2017 at 12:54 pm

      Diane, I’m right there with you. Claiming your definition today as well. Prayers for your kiddos. Thank you for sharing. ((hug))

      Reply
  22. Debby says

    January 25, 2017 at 11:57 am

    Brenda, so glad you stopped by little space on the inter webs because it led me here to your lovely words. I love that January’s song is hope. YES! Such an uplifting post. Thank you!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Tags

(In)Courage But God Callings Children Control Faithfulness Family Fear Fill in the Blank Freedom Friendship Giveaway God Graceful Guest Posts Home Hope If My People Inclusion Marriage Motherhood Nature P31 Pain Prayer Proverbs31Ministries Purpose Quotes Racism Rejection Rest Seasons Sisterhood Surrender Teens
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

From the Author

Encouragement for Today Badge

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

Every-which-way I turn, I sense it: Heartache. Su Every-which-way I turn,  I sense it:
Heartache. Suffering. Pain. Sorrow.
.
My compassion can barely stand itself.
.
A tide of trouble beats against the shores of my heart, begging a prayer or two or ten.
.
Compassion can sometimes feel like more than a heart was made to hold.
.
We long for life and health and peace for our families, our communities, our world…ourselves.
.
Flipping through my Bible this morning; my eyes catching on years of faded ink underlining generations of ancient truths,
.
Verse upon verse…underscored reminders of the tender nature of God,
.
Sacred pages alive with precedent,
.
Revealing a heart beating wildly with compassion for a world in pain.
.
Oh, to step in the shadow of the Savior,
.
Who chose to feel compassion’s ache, instead of looking away.
.
More than ever I recognize that it’s the Christ in us that swells compassion upon a hurting world.
.
These are the glory days of hope. 🙌
.
For we have this confidence: There will be another day—when pain will not exist. 🙌
.
Thank you, Lord, that our hope is not misplaced in You. 💗
.
Dear friend, life can be overwhelming at times, AmIRight?!
.
Praying today that your soul may find rest & peace in the gentle heart of God who never leaves us alone. 💕
.
.
#weary #rest #pain #sorrow #grief #compassion #grace #notalone #suffering #heartache #butgod #soulrest #faith #ministry #amwriting #influence #leadership #serve #christianwriter #hope #restingod #believe #savior #trust #powerofgod #weariness #tired #freedom #godknows #godishere
Many a time in life I’ve felt I was standing at Many a time in life I’ve felt I was standing at the edge of a sea, hemmed in by its boundary, unable to discern a path forward.
.
If this feels familiar, friend, I have the sweetest of news…
.
God has not misplaced His plan for your life.
.
Our great God is not bound by limitation. His roads can cross right through our seas, on pathways no one knew were there! 🙌
.
Oh friend, may you rest quietly before your God at the water’s edge, trusting Him to bring you to a place of abundance.
.
The mighty waters of your circumstances are no match for His power, His heart, His purpose.
.
You’re not alone, for He goes before you, ordering unique pathways along His timeline—all for you, my friend.
.
Set your every hope into the tender palm of God and walk in freedom, for He is able. 💕
.
.
.
#uncertainty #godwillmakeaway #godisable #waitongod #trust #faith #rest #believe #powerofgod #hope #abundance #confusion #weary #circumstances #godstiming #nextrightstep #encouragement #ministry #influence #serve #amwriting #christianwriter #godcares #purpose #plans #seek #god #freedom #peace #faithfulgod
Friend, no matter what you’ve been through…hea Friend, no matter what you’ve been through…healing isn’t hopeless.
. 
So often it can feel easier to tamp hurt upon hurt deep into our spirits, than to do a new thing.
.
But, friend, our God is a God of fresh beginnings who makes pathways through the wilderness and steams in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)
.
You don’t walk alone, for His kindness and faithfulness walk with you through it all.
.
This book _Good Boundaries and Goodbyes_ by @lysaterkeurst is a beautifully honest resource for learning to understand & create healthy, Godly boundaries in our lives.
.
If you’re looking for a good resource to begin forming healthy boundaries, or are looking for help to understand others’ healthy boundaries, this book is a great place to start.
.
I have an extra copy I’d love to give away. Leave me a comment on Instagram if you’d like to be entered to win.
.
Also, OBS (Online Bible Study) is beginning a free online community study of this book January 23rd. If you’d like to sign up, head over to proverbs31.org.
.
May this be a stream in your desert, dear friend, the dawn of a beautiful new thing God’s set apart for you. 💕
.
.
.
#goodboundariesandgoodbyes #book #boundaries #healthyboundaries #emotionalhealth #stuck #relationships #peoplepleasing #misunderstood #security #letgoletgod #freedom #christianwriter #faith #ministry #influence #hope #amwriting #service #newrelease #grief #weary #rest #healing #heal #peace #moveforward #babysteps #grace #newmercies
About 5-6 years ago I started doing this thing tha About 5-6 years ago I started doing this thing that, at the time, didn’t feel like anything radical or life-changing.
.
I simply started trying to stop eating around 7pm, and not start eating again until 11am.
.
At the time, I’d never even heard the term “intermittent fasting;” I was just trying this new-to-me thing to help with weight management.
.
Over time, I learned that what I was doing was called intermittent fasting, and that it has health benefits well beyond the weight management realm.
.
(Search the word “autophagy” if you’re interested in learning more about that.)
.
I’m not gonna lie, back when I started, 7pm to 11am was hard! It took some time, and I didn’t always do it “perfectly.”
.
These days, I typically go from 6-7pm to 1-2pm. My body has adapted and most days it’s very easy. Often, I’d fast longer except that I take supplements that keep me awake at night if I take them too late in the day.
.
Yes, I came to intermittent fasting for the weight loss. (30 pounds has long been gone.) But, I stay because I’ve never felt better. Allowing my body the restorative time each day has been a game-changer for me.
.
For a few weeks now, I’ve been feeling like I’m supposed to share this…like someone needs to hear it.
.
If that’s you, friend, I want you to know that it’s not as hard as it seems. Start as slowly as you need to. Add another hour or 30 minutes, or even 15 minutes per week until your body adapts.
.
There’s no right or wrong. There are no bad days. It’s a lifestyle of freedom. You can switch it all up when you need to or want to for social reasons. It’s easier than it seems.
.
I’m no doctor. I’m not medically advising. I’m just a girl who has always longed to make a difference, so I share in hopes of helping.
.
No matter what your goals are this year, whether they’re health or relational or work related, it’s okay to go slow. It’s okay to get off track by January 10th and start over again.
.
All is progress, my friend. Baby steps count. 💕
.
#intermittentfasting #health #goals #2023 #fasting #healthylifestyle #hope #growth #liveyourbestlife #leadership #influence #christianwriter #amwriting #ministry #serve #smallbeginnings #progress #slowgrowth
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Market theme by Restored 316

Copyright 2022 Brenda Bradford Ottinger · Log in