Who gives me information I can count on? Who gives me hope? Is it a doctor? counselor? teacher? Friend? NOOOOOOOOO!
Last night I listened to someone tell me that if my husband and I didn't do "X" that we would encounter trouble. For a quick moment, I bought into it. Meaning well, this professional was trying to help. However what he did do, is vacuum the hope!
Who is your hope vacuumer? Who tells you it is not possible? Is it the news? Lately, that sure is a place for uplifting stories of hope; NOT!
Is it a DR who may have said "there is nothing more we can do"?
Is it a parent who says you are not smart or talented enough?
Is it your situation that may appear to be dire?  What vacuums your hope up?

Is it you?

One or a string of words can flow from a person's mouth- that can potentially have the power to squelch hope and leave in its place: void, sadness, loss, and an overall emptiness, the want to give-up!
And if given to you by a so-called professional, you may end up throwing in the towel.

It can strip you of a future! It provides a jail sentence! "Sorry, but there is no cure" or "your marriage won't make it" or "we will end up in war"! Fear tells you that you are doomed!

From now on! I'm holding my ears shut and closing my eyes tight to anything or anyone, even those who may be well intended that tries to vacuum my hope!

Jeremiah 29:11 tells me For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future.

Psalm 55:22 tells us to cast our cares upon the LORD! HE will sustain you! (Hope)
The news, the Docs, the counselor, the bank account, your health - they may have a place, however when I have any trouble; FIRST, I am handing it up to the LORD, who promises to sustain me; give me HOPE and a future!

GOD joined my husband and I together. Sure, we have issues. Doesn't every marriage? (I call BS here if you say "no"). A man with a degree and a head full of knowledge, potentially tried to destroy love! He momentarily got in my head and tried to vacuum my hope! And for a quick moment; I bought into it! Did I forget? What the LORD joined together - let no man tear apart.
What is your hope vacuum? Get rid of it! Place all of your hope in the LORD!

Get thee behind me "hope killer"!

We are loved by the GIVER of HOPE!

.....Oh! May the GOD of green HOPE fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with HOPE!
THANK YOU JESUS FOR HOPE IN ALL things, amen ❤

Michael Jackson sang a song "Man in the Mirror". In true MJ fashion, I got lost in his dancing, on-stage antics, and the ooo ooo's, that I lost the meaning of the song.
I've changed. We all are changing. Some in good directions, some not so much.
I used to look in a mirror and feel small, ugly and useless. Who I was, became who I was with. I was looking to belong, be accepted..... loved!
There is a part of the song that goes like this:
"I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change."

​So I did! I made a change! I reached out to the one who changes. JESUS. I was ready. I wanted to look in the mirror and see someone who I loved.

So, time to get down to the nitty gritty! Do some interior house-cleaning!

Step 6, in action: 
We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. "(James 4:10)

I see a transformation. I don't hate on me anymore. I realize when I screw up (and I still do) that I am forgiven and given another chance to make it right.
​
I look in the mirror now and like who I see.

Not because my make-up looks particularly good, or I shed a few pounds or I am having a good-hair day; nope!
Because JESUS changed me. I was ready! HIS exuberance shines through me.
My heart sings now. Even when I am stressed.

Now, I actually take pictures with my grandkids and even selfies where I once hid my face. I did that because the mere view of my face made me sad.

Now! When someone says, "wow, you look different/looking good"- I say "thank you"; and in my heart, I know that the "man in the mirror" the one that shines- is the "JESUS IN ME".
It is all about HIM!
Thank YOU JESUS for changing the woman in the mirror! Amen ❤