Daring to Hope

“Yet I still dare to hope
    when I remember this:

 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
    His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
    his mercies begin afresh each morning.
 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
    therefore, I will hope in him!” (Lamentations 3:21-24 NLT)

Two weeks ago, we headed to Kentucky in a packed car with hearts full. It was a bittersweet moment. Audrey was excited for the adventure that lay ahead yet sad to leave behind the familiar comfort of home.

The day before we had asked for prayer because money was still owed on Audrey’s tuition bill. We were unsure of how that was going to be paid, but we had a peace that God wanted us to go. So we packed the car and planned to head out early the next morning.

We awoke to a surprising gift given that would cover over a 1/4 of what was owed. With tears in our eyes, we thanked the Lord for this provision.

Over the next 24 hours as we traveled along the road, a couple more gifts were given. Provision was coming as the Scripture had encouraged me earlier in the week.

“When Jesus stopped to look at them, he spoke these words: “Go to be examined by the Jewish priests.” They set off, and they were healed while walking along the way.” (Luke 17:14 TPT)

Audrey moved into her dorm at the beginning of the week and started acclimating to her new life in college. We stayed in a quaint inn down the street from the school, enjoying the small town and the cherished few moments we had with our daughter each day.

The week passed, and the time was coming when we needed to decide what we were to do with the remaining bill. It was Friday, and we had until Monday to make arrangements. Then, out of the blue, we received another text telling us of a gift given. A group of YWAM friends had pulled their money to give to this need. Throughout the week, over 3/4 of the bill had been raised. We left Wilmore, KY giving Audrey a check to take to the Cashier’s office. What joy we all had as we reflected on God’s provision that week.

The remaining amount has been put on a payment plan over the next 4 months. We will pay our first installment next week. Praise the Lord more money came in for that payment. I have been so encouraged to watch how God has unfolded this provision. He’s reminded me that He is in the journey…each step, each moment. He is present. “His mercies begin afresh each morning.”

During the week at Asbury, we were blessed by a time of worship in the beautiful Hughes Auditorium. The presence of the Lord filled that room as we sang the old hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

There’s a line in the song that says…“all I have needed Thy hands hath provided…I paused as we were singing and thought can I say this and mean it. We still owed a lot of money on Audrey’s bill for the semester. It had been days with nothing coming in. Then as I was reflecting on this line in the song, I had this phrase immediately enter my mind…Believe and ye shall see. It was a holy moment, and with tears streaming down my cheek, I could wholeheartedly say, “Yes, Lord, I do believe. Great is Your faithfulness.”

God IS faithful. He’s not a genie in a bottle doling out three wishes to whomever has the lamp in their hands. No, He’s a good Father, journeying with us in life. He’s on the mountain tops and in the valleys. He’s in our joys, and He’s in our sorrows. He’s present. Always! And He is faithful to take care of us no matter what we encounter along the way.

Richard and I returned to Texas last Sunday with peace. Our daughter was in a good place. The community at Asbury is quite intentional in discipling the students. President Brown used the word “deliberate” in his welcome speech, yet it wasn’t just a word spoken in a great speech. We could see their deliberateness in various actions all throughout the week. It gave us joy knowing Audrey would continue to be discipled in her walk with Jesus.

On Monday, I started back in the classroom at CHS with my students . I’m teaching 3 classes this year:

• 7th / 8th Grade Writing FUNdamentals
• 9th / 10th Grade English Literature I
• 11th / 12th Grade American Literature I

I’m also the High School Vice Principal. Not only do I get to teach the students, but I also get to walk with their families and teachers in the journey. I do enjoy this role too, but it’s been a full week. So after spending most of my Saturday lesson planning, today I will rest. Sabbaths are a gift from the Lord that I’ve learned to appreciate as I’ve gotten older.

Great is His faithfulness dear friends. May you know His mercies anew each morning this week as you journey with Jesus. Keep daring to hope in the One who is worthy! ❤️

You are loved!

Amy