Nostalgia

Nostalgia: A bittersweet longing for things, persons, or situations from the past. The condition of being homesick. The feelings of sadness and pleasure when you look back to a happy time in the past.

The approaching holiays are finding me feeling nostalgic. Just seeing this picture makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. As humans we tend to remember things in extremes. We remember the really good times and the really bad times. I guess they are those experiences that generate an emotional response.

With the holidays approaching I am really wanting to have my whole family together. With one son and granddaughter in Hawaii that is not too likely. But........said son informed me that they are starting to think about moving back to the mainland. So there is hope!

I used to have a sign in my kitchen (before we could afford a dishwasher - yes, I am that old!) Wishes won't wash the dishes.

It is interesting to think about the difference between hoping and wishing. To me, wishing is like "wishing on a star", in other words wishing on something (a star) that cannot deliver.

On the other hand, hope to me is connected to my belief in God and His awsome power to make things happen (although in His infinate wisdom and timing).

"....for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought...." IChronicles 28:9

Here is an example of this verse from my life:

When I was visiting my sister in Oklahoma 30 years ago, we happened to drive to a farm down a long lane that was covered on both sides by large trees. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had seen and longed to someday live someplace with a lane like that. And guess what.....20 years later we had the fortune to build a house in the country with a lane 1/4 mile long and you guessed it....lined with large beautiful trees. It is a joy every time I drive up and down our lane. I firmly believe that God gave me this "desire of my heart" even though I never specifically prayed for it.

So.....this holiday season I will cling to hope that my family will be all together. But if it doesn't happen this year I will be patient and wait for that time to come.

Here's wishing (scratch that) hoping all of you a joy-filled holiday season filled with all of your hopes and dreams and favorite things and people. For those who have lost a loved one, hang on to the hope that you will be reunited just as God promised through the grace provided by Jesus for those who believe.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life" John 3:16

Karla

Edit Update:  My son and grand daughter did move home in January of 2011.  Praise God!  I get to see them all the time now.