Is Hope alive and on fire in your family tree of life? Do you know that anything that comes into your life is or can be filled with HOPE, even if it’s not what you were expecting or wanting? We all face difficult times of losing loved ones, disagreements with loved ones, lost children, and our efforts to unite in a blended family today can feel like climbing a rugged mountain with slippery slopes. In our family tree, we have broken branches where disappointment and hurt have impacted us, but Hope has woven our family cord back together tighter than ever. We also have branches that have been completely removed from our tree (or pruned) to leave our tree with a knotty appearance. We have all learned and grown from being pruned even though pain has been present in our pruning. Pruning us of our past actions is Hope growing new buds to bring new fresh leaves to life! Each and every situation in your life is there for you to have hope and to grow to become whole, healthy, purposeful, and grateful. With each and every passing day our family tree continues to grow, continues to branch out, and to continues to focus on the sturdy part of the tree…the trunk. Our Tree trunk has Generations to Come as the focus.
I was inspired to design our family tree to focus on the here and now, and not past ancient family members. Each word was well thought out and positioned to form a tree (hopefully you can tell). The story in our tree is one of deep roots from generations passed down. These roots have grown many new branches with our blended family, and some branches are beginning to create new branches. Your tree may look like mine where you have a blended family, past struggles, and pruning. Be encouraged to make your own Tree of Hope for change, for uniting as one, and for new Life to emerge from the branches. HOPE is my fuel.
Psalm 119:90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.