Hope, Compassion, Love, and Faithfulness – Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!  I cannot believe that we are here at the last day of October.  (I also cannot believe that we had snow this weekend, but that’s another story.)  As I look back on the past month, I am thankful for God’s faithfulness and steadfast love.  As I recall, I started this month with feelings of anxiety and anticipation as we continued through a season of difficult memories.  Last year, Leanne came home from the hospital on October 1st and began extended care at a day program.  As we went through October last year, we were definitely trying to find a rock to stand on – some sort of normal – some type of answer that everything would be okay.

So as we started this October, things had been moving along pretty well.  We had started to hit a “normal” stride.  There was nothing to say that was going to change.  But I still carried some memories of last year.  As October has revealed itself each day, I have been relieved and renewed to see God’s faithfulness.  We’ve had a lot of things to be thankful for this month like:  a family trip to the Apple Farm/Pumpkin Patch, spectating at several of Hannah’s cross-country meets, enjoying food and friends at our 1st ever Chilifest, having the opportunity to serve at the Norristown Community House and Cradles to Crayons, and having the opportunity to share at a Group Leader Meeting.

While I’ve been processing these thoughts these days, it was appropriate that one of my readings from this weekend came from the book of Lamentations.  In this passage, I am reminded of hope, never-ending compassion, unfailing love, and enduring faithfulness that comes from God.  This is a great way to leave the month of October!

Yet this I call to mind 
   and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, 
   for his compassions never fail. 
They are new every morning; 
   great is your faithfulness. 
I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; 
   therefore I will wait for him.”

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, 
   to the one who seeks him; 
it is good to wait quietly 
   for the salvation of the LORD. 
It is good for a man to bear the yoke 
   while he is young.

Let him sit alone in silence, 
   for the LORD has laid it on him. 
Let him bury his face in the dust— 
   there may yet be hope. 
Let him offer his cheek to one who would strike him, 
   and let him be filled with disgrace.

For no one is cast off 
   by the Lord forever. 
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, 
   so great is his unfailing love. 
For he does not willingly bring affliction 
   or grief to anyone.

Lamentations 3:21-33

How have you experienced God’s hope, never-ending compassion, unfailing love, and enduring faithfulness this month?