I wrote the following devotion for my church’s 2021 Easter devotional book titled, “Waiting With Joyful Hope.” As I read the pages of this year’s devotional, I was inspired by the stories of hope and tremendous faith expressed by the authors. After reading my devotional below, about a vivid childhood memory, may your heart be filled with hope and joy knowing that God the Father is here to rescue His children.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Rescued By Hope
It was the summer before I started fifth grade and my family was traveling home to Illinois after visiting relatives in Maryland. After countless miles in the van, navigating through mountains and rolling hills, we knew we were close to home when we saw flat land. Then, only forty miles from home, our mini van began to smoke. The oil light came on and we found ourselves stranded on the side of the road. The sun was setting and there was nothing but corn fields for miles. No gas station, home, or business was in sight! There were no cell phones back then, so calling AAA for help was out of the question! We felt hopeless, isolated, and alone.
Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever been in such a dire situation that you felt as if all hope was gone? As darkness enclosed upon us, my mom began to pray. Although we were tired, scared, and longing for home, we had hope that God would protect us and provide for us. We trusted in Him. Has God rescued you just when you were about to lose all hope? Has God given you exactly what you needed at just the right time?
The minutes felt like hours and my dad decided he would begin the long walk to the nearest town. Just as he began to leave, a car stopped and a young woman stepped out. She was traveling alone and said she had no intention of stopping and even passed us by, but “something” told her to stop, so she turned around and came back to help. My dad told her that the oil light had come on. This good Samaritan happened to have purchased oil earlier that day and still had the oil cans in her trunk! She helped us fill our van with 2 cans of oil and our van started right up.
God had His hand in our rescue that night by placing the young woman in our path who had a trunk full of oil, which was exactly what we needed! And the power of the Holy Spirit was working in the woman who rescued us by calling her to turn around and help strangers stranded on the side of the road.
Isn’t it comforting to know that God is with us throughout our journey through life? I have hope knowing that God is beside me and that He travels with each and every one of us. When the road in front of us is smooth and clear, God is there. He continues to be our compass when we travel through bumpy patches or become lost during our travels. God isn’t an annoying backseat driver because He loves us even when we make a wrong turn, run a red light or arrive late to our destination. We should rejoice with thanksgiving knowing that He is guiding us through every twist and turn; protecting us, rescuing us and providing joyful hope.
Dear Almighty God, Help me to always trust in you. When I feel there is no hope give me strength. Lead me to find hope in You. Fill me with the peace and understanding that by trusting in You I will never be abandoned. For You will always give me exactly what I need. Amen
Lillian and I enjoyed reading this rhyming book based on the song, “Silent Night.” The story features a bear cub and its mother as they walk through the woods on a calm winter’s night. Along their path they encounter animals living in harmony with their natural surroundings while others are deep in their winter slumber. On the last page the mother and cub marvel at the awe-inspiring beauty of a bright star illuminating the night sky. The book is a beautiful story to read with your little one.
As a musician I get the pleasure of performing the song multiple times every year with the various ensembles I perform in. But the greatest happiness comes when I sing the song at the conclusion of the candlelight service on Christmas Eve at church. It is something I anticipate every year. As the sanctuary’s overhead lights dim, the church illuminates with a warm glow from the small candles carefully held by the congregation. As the light from the candles illuminates my face and the words “Silent night, holy night,” flow freely from my lips, my heart overflows with radiant joy. For the song reminds us all of the greatest gift we will ever receive… Jesus!
Advent Wreath– Christians all over the world have adopted the tradition of lighting candles during Advent to observe this as the time of the coming of Christ who is the light of the world. One tradition is lighting an Advent wreath at church and at home to mark each Sunday in Advent. This Advent tradition dates back to Germany and the Lutheran Church following the Reformation.
The Advent wreath we are using in our home was carefully molded out of clay by my daughter’s tiny hands. Plastered with green paint it is adorned with five skinny birthday candles. Mrs. Stanglein helped Lillian craft this Advent wreath in preschool and although simple in design it glows with radiant splendor.
Lillian and her class learned an Advent song to go along with their wreath and they have been singing a new verse every week. We also sing the simple song in church as a new candle on the Advent wreath is lit. Lillian learned the song quickly and she had enjoyed singing it at the top of her lungs every day this month!
Noteworthy Mommy 