Hope

Yesterday I was struck by two things, at separate times, in separate ways.  The first thing was this little ad that I saw in a magazine for a book called Disneystrology.   To sum up, it links astrology and Disney to small ones who don't know the difference.  Instead of what's your sign, it's based on your birthday and it tells you what  Disney character you are like.  Harmless fun? Maybe.  But then I read this in the book of Isaiah and it got me thinking...... Verse 2:6 says this:   They are full of superstitions from the east;  they practice divination like the Philistines.   These people received the judgement of the Lord and it was really bad!  Why in the world would I want my kids, who love Disney by the way, to even head down that path of dread???  But it's harmless!  It's Belle and Nemo, right?  What if it's just the beginning of something more??? 

The second thing that struck me was witnessing an excange between Lilly and Sawyer.  I walked in on Lilly sitting in front of Sawyer.  She was holding in her hands a little Bible and she was singing the song,  The Bible is a Treasure Book, to Saywer.  The Bible is a treasure book of stories that are true.  It tells of people long ago of folks like me and you.  I choose reading the Bible. 

So, I have hope.  Judgement and destruction fell upon the people of Judah because of their sin and evil ways.  However, there was promised hope in the "branch of the Lord"  (Isaiah 4:2-6)  I have hope that my kids, who are learning the truth of God's word, the Bible, will remember it as they grow.  In the midst of this crazy world and all of it's temptations and evil that will try to snare them, I have hope. 

"For I know the plans that I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.   You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,"  declares the Lord, "and will bring you back from captivity.