Ingredient #1:
Hope
That’s where it all begins: with Hope. Hopes and dreams and soaring expectations of living
happily ever after. Hope for a soul-mate
who will always cherish and whose affections will never waiver. Who will whole-heartedly nurture the
children, and will thank God for the blessing of family. Dreams of children who grow up to become
responsible young adults, and who love the Lord with all their heart. Who will honor and respect the ones who
raised them. Fully expecting that life
will include financial stability, successful career, dynamic ministries, strong
health, faithful friends, supportive family.
Hopes, however, have a way of not turning out
exactly as expected. Somewhere in the process they can be broken, crushed, and
scrambled, until they take on a different form altogether. Barely recognizable as the dreams they once
were. Hopes fail.
