Guest Blogger → Guest Blogger: Jenna Young
My wonderful wife is exploring the possibility of entering the world of blogging so I offered her the opportunity to cut her teeth here on my blog. She is a very talented writer and a woman with a keen perspective that has taught me more than a few things over the last ten years. Here’s what’s on her mind.
Get Your Hopes Up
In our seemingly never-ending house hunt, Joel and I ventured into a neighborhood we’d driven through many times before. As usual, we were looking for homes marked “For Sale By Owner” or homes that appeared to be abandoned and in need of tender, loving care. A property caught our eye that looked as though it would be perfect for our family and our current situation. It was on a safe street, in a very convenient location, and offered the privacy we are looking for. In addition, the house was small, meaning it had the potential to be affordable, a characteristic uncommon in the area we are hoping to land. Best of all, it looked empty. The yard was unkempt and the house appeared to be closed up tightly with purpose.
As always, I felt myself getting excited. Thoughts began racing through my head about planting flowers, Reed playing in the yard, and transforming that little house into a place we could call “home.” Still, in the back of my mind, I felt myself thinking, “I’m not going to get my hopes up about this house, in case it doesn’t work out.” Just then, I felt as though God gave me a swift kick in the rear! Why shouldn’t I get my hopes up? If every piece of the situation seems to fit perfectly with what God knows we need and/or desire, why would I doubt that He could make that happen for us?
I imagined God purposefully hand-picking that property for our family, and watching with joy as we were guided onto that street to discover what was meant to be ours. I then envisioned Him sighing in disappointment as He heard me utter the words, “I’m not going to get my hopes up,” like a slap in the face. How can I expect God to answer my prayers for this home, when I act as though I don’t believe He will provide what I’m asking for?
How different would our lives be if we remained ever confident of what God can, and will, do? Get your hopes up!
