My mom and I recently visited Maria’s Sunflower Field of Hope and learned there’s always a reason to hope. We walked a path through the gorgeous flowers and saw prayers written and attached to the sunflowers. The prayers from Maria Children’s Glioma Cancer Foundation funds several research studies across the country that have led to new clinical trials and breakthroughs for children’s cancer. It was started by Megan and Ed McNamara in 2007 after their daughter Maria, 7, died from a brain tumor. The display stands as a giant reminder that there’s always a reason to hope.
Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. That’s exactly what God wants us to have when we look towards the future. He wants us to believe for greater things. My favorite verse on hope is from Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.” (NIV) Doesn’t that bring comfort? The Creator of the universe wants to give us hope. In those times when life wears us down, we can be sure God wants to give us the strength we need. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31, NIV) Perhaps we need to take a lesson from the sunflowers and continually face the ‘Son.’ They are a good reminder that there’s always a reason to hope.
Things to do today:
- Read a similar blog called ‘Confident Expectation.’
- Listen to songs of hope: ‘There’s Hope in Front of Me’ and ‘Trust in You.’