Hope: A Strong Foundation

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Welcome back, my friends. It has come. The Christmas season is upon us again and Sunday past was the first Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, here at mittonmusings.com we celebrate the advent season with muses each week based on the theme of advent. And so, we are here again. As we mark the first week of preparation for the Christmas season, we look at HOPE. “I hope this… ” “I hope that….” “Hoping you do this or that…” Common phrases we hear all the time. Hope is familiar to us. Personally, I think hope is one of those emotions that has quite a wide range. Tiny, insignificant hopes to big life and death hopes. We “hope” for a good parking spot. Some “hope” for medical miracles. Others “hope” for a meal to fill their bellies. Hope is based on circumstance. Or is it?

Photo by Saad Chaudhry on Unsplash

Our circumstance is fleeting. Basing our hopes on dreams and desires can lead to disappointment and discouragement. Perhaps, hope needs to be concrete. Substantial. Tangible. Who gives us that tangible gift to cling to? Napoleon Bonaparte once said that “Leaders are dealers in hope.” Let’s muse there for awhile. What does a good leader give us? Motivation? A cause to rally for? We recently watched the first Gladiator movie with Russell Crowe. One of its themes is a leader is valuable and can woo the masses. I was struck by the similarities between the colosseum’s crowd and the mob at Jesus’ crucifixion. How we are easily swayed by group mentality and can be roused by others. Hope or destruction: it doesn’t matter. A good leader filters hope through his or her crew. An evil one breeds destruction and chaos.

The hope a leader feeds, however, must have a genuine substance. It must have a firm foundation. A solid belief that will propel the follower forward no matter what the circumstance. This is the advent Hope we celebrate. It is not a theory or philosophy or dream. It is a person. This is a vital and very distinct difference we see between believers and non-believers. Our hope is not based on circumstance or adaptable. It is a constant… through any circumstance, because we believe in God who is secure and stable through the uncertainty. He is faithful through it all. Certainly, we grieve. We travel through hills and valleys. Yet, our journey can be surrounded with hope because of the One who knows the future.

“The hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil.”

Hebrews 6:19

The Hebrew word for Hope is tikvah meaning “expectation” or “cord”. The root word meaning “to wait for” or “bind”. We are awaiting the birth of our first grand baby. We ponder about will it be a boy or a girl? Will the baby be big or little? Will he or she have a full head of hair? How will the parents survive? (How did we get old enough to be grandparents?!) Most of us understand the concept of expectation as it relates to babies. We see where that hope is related. We hope in a bright future for our little one. Still, what about “bind” and the idea of cordage? To bind tight means stability. A hope, that when tested in circumstance, is unwavering. A necessary foundation to cling to when the going gets tough. An anchor in times of uncertainty. This is our Hope in Christ.

And so, my friends, as we enter another season of Christmas, I encourage you to put your Hope in the One who counts. The One who anchors our valleys and circumstances with a strong cordage. May the next few weeks of advent reflection start with Hope because it needs to be our foundation for the season. See you next week, my beloveds!

Want some more Hope? Here’s a few previous posts to put you in the advent mood:

The Ultimate Toolbox

The Advent Candle of Hope

How to Predict the Future

You Are A Miracle: Reflections on Existence and Purpose

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I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but: You. Are. A. Miracle. A scientifically bonafide miracle. I know this because many, many moons ago when I was in university, my anatomy professor gave a very sobering lecture about human reproduction. Did you know that the percentage of actual, “normal” human beings born is 34%. That’s before birth. Thirty four out of 100 “good eggs” develop to 40 ish weeks. Then there is that tumultuous day that we celebrate every year called your birth day. If you make it through that, there is about a 31% chance you come out relatively ready to face the world… and from there… well, let’s just say, if you have survived this long and are reading this post: You are a miracle!

You. Are. A.Miracle.

I was musing about this at a baby shower held in honour of my beloved daughter-in-law. She is about three weeks out from giving us our first grand baby! We are excited, of course, but becoming a grandparent for the first time makes you reflect on mortality, your own legacy, and well, the miracle of life itself. It’s fragile. It’s vulnerable. It’s oh so special. Yet, most of us take it for granted. We shop for cute little onesies at Walmart and complain about the cost of diapers. The world is overpopulated. We can all agree that there are some people who should just simply not be parents. Others who deserve to be and can not. People have suffered and are suffering. This broken world is not what God designed. It begs the question: Should we be concerned at each individual life and focus on its tenuous existence?

My own views on mortality and life are complicated and not for debate today. I’ve had my share of death and understand the significance of life. I’m discovering rural farmers have a view of life that, shall we say, is practical and perhaps more matter of fact. Philosophers will have a different view. Christian worldview with belief in a Creator God? Their discussion will different from the atheist’s. As I said, it’s simply another muse I’m putting out there for reflection. A potential for thought and discussion. Go where you wish with it. Let’s just say, I don’t think God makes mistakes. He has a plan and your life is a significant part of it.

We are each a significant part of God’s Plan

Christmas is quickly approaching and I cannot help but think of Mary. Unwed teenager, pregnant, but she claims not by her betrothed. First time mom gives birth in barn. Believe me, I have a barn, it would not be my first choice. You tube worthy story, for sure. Yet, here too, God had a plan, and Mary’s life was a significant part of it. Why have baby Jesus come to Earth as a vulnerable baby? Helpless and fragile? Utterly human and at risk for all that humanity has to offer. Would not have been my choice either… but then again, I’m not God, am I?

And so we have come full circle back to my original thought: You are a miracle. Significantly created and planned for by the ultimate Creator. Designed and destined for greatness… or at least some role in His ultimate plan for humankind. He knows we are but dust. And yet, He loves us beyond measure. Perhaps this is why He gives us babies…. and grand babies. To remind us that we are miracles designed just the way He planned for just the role He planned. I hope this thought makes you smile today… because you are worthy.

The Role of a Rooster in your Flock: Introducing “Morris”

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Welcome back! If you’ve been following mittonmusings for any length of time, you’ll know that a flock of chickens have been on the want list for a very long time. It sparked a three year long search for the perfect country farmhouse and an uprooting of my entire family to move away from everything we knew and held dear. Which seems a little crazy now that I see it in black and white… but here we are! I planned, prepped and did my research. I sought out what breeds of chicks would be friendly, cold tolerant and easy for a beginner. I asked questions and read lots. I went through a reputable source and ordered six day olds… three of each kind. (In case you care to know, I have Americanas and Lavender Orpingtons). I discovered the order list was a little late, but in May of this year, the little bundles of fluff moved in.

My family tolerated the chicks and their crazy mom as they ran through the living room… and made a complete mess of my beautiful farmhouse. Still, mom was happy, and the dream was a reality, so what could they say? Eventually, the babies finally moved out and #itsnottafarm got a bit more “farm like”. And then tragedy struck.

“Mort” my dumbest (but most favourite) chicken got “lost”. Literally, lost. She more than likely wandered off into the woods and couldn’t make her way back. We saw no evidence of predators, so I would like to think she is happy somewhere… So we were down to five. And then: “Mavis” became “Morris”. Yup, I got a rooster. Which is not a surprise if you buy a “backyard mix”… it happens more than 50% of the time… but I had done my research, and planned remember? My chicks were supposed to be 98% guaranteed female. Laying hens. Alas, life always has other plans, eh? I denied it when she grew a bit bigger. I denied it when a friend commented. I denied it when her comb grew. I could deny it no longer when the crow came. We are now down to four girls and a very handsome, but definitely male, rooster. We now have “Morris.”

We now have a “Morris”

Is it so bad to have a rooster? No, not really. The rooster’s role in a flock is protector. A role “Morris” is taking on well. It’s actually kind of fun watching him call to his ladies … especially if one is falling behind. He’s a big boy, so can’t hop the fence as well as the hens… and he often gets stuck at the back of the pack. We are learning to “tame” him (although he is fairly friendly) as he is beginning to strut his stuff and challenge the hubby and the dog. I bring him treats so he likes me most of the time. He’s screaming in protest in the background as I type this! Oh brother… they are out on my porch… he’s calling them back… See? Welcome to my crazy life dream!

So, as we adjust to life on the “farm” now with a rather loud and unexpected rooster, I hope you find your own protector. I hope that God gives you someone who “has your back”. Who calls you back to Him when you stray a little too far. I hope there is one who may have been unexpected in your life, but is a vital part of it. I know God is good. He gives us what we need – when we need it most. It’s not always what we want… but He makes it all work out. There will be casualties. No one is perfect. Even if they are in authority and have a very important role in leadership. We will lose our friends sometimes. We will be challenged, and have to act on the defensive on occasion. I heard a tidbit of farm history, that weather vanes on top of barn roofs depicted roosters to remind us to be bold in our faith… and to not be like Peter who denied Christ three times before the crowing of the morning rooster. (By the way…they crow all day… and at any time of day…so yeah…there’s that).

“Morris” and his Ladies

I hope a “Morris” comes into your little world to bring you a bit of the unexpected. To keep you on your toes. To be bold and tough and a good protector. Yet, a beautiful soul who has every good intention to be wise and wary. A father figure, perhaps. Let this be your reminder to muse on them a little today – and be thankful for their role in your flock. Blessings, my beloveds.