Pam Dudding, Contributing writer
Hope and prayer are two things that have been known to carry people through extremely tough times.
For many, the last two years have been very trying. Some have had families help them through while others have had to wander through the unknown alone. This has created stress, loneliness and for some, even depression.
Difficult times are meant to “make us stronger,” yet there are times when they hit, and hit hard, and hit over and over again, until, as people say, there “no more blood in the turnip.”
Though there are services that try to help people through these times, it was recently stated by one person that many are backed up with clients, and they were “at the bottom of the stack.” (This was not in Craig County)
A Hope and Prayer Tree is now placed on Main Street in the courtyard beside the manger scene.
This tree has been placed for a purpose. It is to provide an avenue for those who need a seed of hope that maybe did not have one before.
There is so much power in agreement for anything. The Bible says that one person can send 1,000 people to flight but two can send 10,000. That’s my kind of multiplication!
Under the courthouse awning, there is a box with baggies in it that have index cards in them.
People can place their hopes and prayers on them, zip it tight and tie them on the tree, with the ribbon that is on the baggie.
We are not expecting anyone to take these off and read them, however, you may prefer to use initials if your prayer or hope is more personal.
Then, I ask that as you place your written hope or prayer on the tree, that you take a few moments and pray for those who have placed theirs too.
The book of Matthew, Chapter 18, includes the words from Jesus Christ himself, “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on Earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you lose on Earth will be lost in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on Earth agree on touching anything they ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather together in My name, there I am in the midst of them.”
If you like, enjoy the moment there and sing a song and rest in an intimate time with God.
It’s always been said that “Christmas is a time for miracles.”
I still believe that we serve a miracle-working God. He is just waiting on us to ask, as He states in Mark 7:7, “Ask and ye shall receive, Seek and ye shall find, Knock and the door will be opened unto you.”
What better gift to give someone than hope and a vision for a new tomorrow? “Where there is no vision, My people perish,” the Bible states.
Share this with friends and family that may need that extra love boost this season. Some have lost loved ones, friends, jobs and yes, even their hopes and dreams. This is our opportunity to help someone fight for their future again. And it may end up being a time where you are able to be one of those conduits, that God works through during this special holiday season.
