Why Hope’s Journey?

When I think of hope, I think about seeds. The math of the sheer number of seeds available versus those that take root is supremely lopsided. Look at a tree, a dandelion, take a bite from a watermelon — and you bump into seeds. Yet, if I calculate the difference between available seeds and those that actually find a place to take root, grow, and thrive, I am amazed at how few succeed. Yet here I am. Here you are. We are the successful result of a journey of thousands of sperm wanting to reach the egg first. One of those little guys won. We win the prize! We’re here, alive, and growing. But to thrive means to cultivate hope and realize that today, as joyous or difficult as it may be, how we live life is a choice. Our Journey was unlikely. Our success even more so. Yet, our Papa’s word over us is that we have a future — and a hope.

About Fresh Bread

I am a morning person. My best hours are when I just wake up. To me a day is filled with incredible hope. It’s yet unwritten. There is opportunity ahead. As I start my day I feel like the street sweeper has just finished his rounds – my mind is clear. The clutter and smelly stuff have been disposed of and my heart is inclined toward heaven. What is my Father saying? Which way is the wind blowing? The children of God are known for hearing and responding to his gentle, invisible prompting. This quiet time is my opportunity to set the trajectory for my day, and my life.

Which brings me to these blog pages. I realize that I do not live in a vacuum. I’m a part of a bigger family. I recognize that what I perceive God is doing every day is my perception of His interaction with me, but often I find it's not all that different from what He's doing in others. His kids. For broken and hurting kids or would-be-kids. So when I wake up, I look for what He is doing. Listen for what He is saying. What is going on in the hearts of those he loves? Where is bread, fresh out of the oven? Not something stale written and preserved in Bible commentaries from the 1800’s. Jesus taught us to say, “Give us this day our daily bread.” The Words he gave us yesterday may still nourish a little. A few days ago though? It’s stale. He wants it hot, fresh, daily. Whether the Holy Spirit highlights a word from something written a long time ago, or a story of amazing grace that is happening in front of your very eyes — He’s working. Always working. Today.

For me, it is hard to discover what is happening with others. I suppose if I distill feeds from Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, I may come up with something, but it doesn’t feel efficient. (If you have sources that feed you, please share!) One morning during one of my quiet times I heard the question, “Why don’t you be the fresh bread that you would like to find? Why not share it with others?” And with that, I decided to put pen on paper (or, fingers on keyboard). I don’t want to share my personal, daily drama. But I will share my stories and discoveries, and devote these pages to feed our Blessed Hope. Consistently provide fresh, steaming baked goodness. Add your own butter and jam and start your day off delighting from the food from His table.

Enjoy with confidence…

I share these pages freely. No marketing. No ads. I do not make a living as a writer. I have been blessed with a good job and personally support the cost of posting. There’s no hidden agenda to convert anyone to my way of thinking or my brand of believing. Love is love. Unconditional. Non-judgmental. Inclusive.

Jesus said: “In the same manner, take this bread, eat it. This is my flesh which I give for you.” That’s me. That’s you. We’re his body. We’re his living flesh. I have been nourished with a meal and I share it as well. In our daily choices we are being made into who we are -- and my goal is that it is a reflection of God. I pray you find bread here. If you do, break off a piece and share it. But always eat. Be full and satisfied. We are children of the kingdom and we may be full and overflowing.

Thanks for joining me on the Journey of Hope.

Marc Heriot
Marana, Arizona

Contact: admin@hopes-journey.net