Happy Wednesday, Friends! Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way. Each month I give away a $10.00 Starbucks gift card to someone who posts on my blog. So leave a post, share an insight, bless lots of people, and just maybe you'll win a jolt of java for you and a friend!

Now on to my topic...

Yesterday on Live the Promise, I interviewed my friend, author Tricia Goyer and her co-author, novelist Robin Jones Gunn. We talked about their new book, Praying for Your Future Husband. We had a great discussion about the importance of engaging the Lord in prayer for your future spouse. I can't even remember in what context she said it, but at one point, Robin said, "We have to make space for hope." or "There's always a place for hope." Something like that. Either way, that concept really resonated with me. 

For the Christ-follower, hope is always an option. So when life crowds our perspective and clouds our view, we have to push back on what presses us and give ourselves some room to find hope again.

I don't know what life is like for you but I can guess that you have more work to do than time to do it. Maybe your heart aches for an unfulfilled request. Or maybe you've been misjudged or misunderstood. So painful. Or, maybe you're in need of physical healing. May God grant the desires of your heart! If you've lost hope, or if your hope has faded to a dull shade of gray, it's time to grab hold of hope once again!

Last night we were under a tornado warning. I heard there was actually a touch down nearby. Once the storm passed by, the sun broke through creating silver linings on those once dark and looming clouds. And when the storm was over, the air was especially fresh. The birds sang, the scents came alive, and the gentle breeze called my name.

I just had to get on my bike and hit the paths. Yes, I had dishes in the sink and 400 emails in my inbox, but I'd been working all day and I desperately needed some time to behold the greatness of God. 

So I pushed back my task list; told it to get in line and take a number. I looked at my dishes and said, "Be right back" and I hopped on my bike. I can't even express to you how glorious it was. At certain times during my bike ride, my mind raced through my extensive task list. And yet, with every ounce of grit I had in me, I took those thoughts captive and put them away. I was determined to stay in the moment and breathe in the nourishing power of the moment. And nourishing it was! 

Psalm 19:1-2 says this: The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.
 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.

Day after day God pours forth wisdom, words of love, and affirmation for us because we are the apple of His eye. Day after day He speaks to a waiting and watching world. The problem is, so few are waiting or watching.

If you are in a funk and your life has become a series of responses, do this: push back on all that presses you and make some room, make some space to hear from God, to be nourished in His presence, and to find your strength in Him.

The Lord God Almighty is with you, He's for you, and He makes Himself available to you. Make yourself available to Him. You'll find your soul's deepest needs filled and your hunger satisfied in His presence.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him (Psalm 62:5)

~Until Next Week