Tomorrow's Hope Today

"Mommy, I really want to be a teacher when I grow up. I'm smart. I'm pretty. And I have really good ideas of things my kids could do."


Clara's self-proclamation followed by a lengthy explanation of ladybug hand art her class could make as Mother's Day presents for their moms. Her idea sounded like it fell from the lips of a college graduate. It sounded odd dripping from six year old lips. 


Clara surprises me. She composes songs. She hand-writes letters to friends. She wants to call her friends parents. 


I have no idea if one day she'll be a teacher but I know with certainty God has an incredible plan for her life. Nearly daily I gather her into my lap and whisper to her of God's greatness. Words of thanksgiving pass from my lips through her ear. I want her to hear, to know, to be excited about her future.

Her view of her future sculpts her today.


What do you see when you view your future?


Do you forecast wasted days spent at a job you dislike?


Do you view an empty house?


Or do you witness wonder? The wonder of knowing God is and will continue to lead you on an adventure of faith. Do you know He will do great things in and through you?


There is simplicity in knowing because you believe God has a future and a hope for you.


A week ago Scott bumped into a man who pulled a crumpled old piece of paper from pocket. On it Scott had scrawled, "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11"


This man Scott hardly knew, who he'd encouraged in a passing encounter had been carrying this paper in his pocket for two years. These life-giving, hope-proclaiming words have sustained him during long, hard days.


His today doesn't define his tomorrow. Instead he allows tomorrow to define his today. He is excited about his future which infuses hope, life and purpose in the here and now.


I love those hushed moments of expectancy with my daughters. I love celebrating who God created them to be and anticipating who they will become. Just as they crawl into my lap to hear these words, we can climb into His. 


Do you need tomorrow's hope infused into your today?