Wednesday, June 11, 2014

HOPE

















At birth, my parents had chosen my first name, Andrea and I've been told the doctor who delivered me chose my middle name, Hope. In fact, when I was a small child the same doctor was my family doctor and he quite often called me by my middle name, not the name everyone else calls me.

Over the years, I've thought a lot about my name and what it means. I've often wondered why Dr. Miller chose the name "Hope." I've come to believe God used Dr. Miller to plant a seed in my life. When there is nothing else, there is HOPE!

 "It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone." Ephesians 1:11-12 The Message

"We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek" Hebrews 6:18-20 The Message 

So, today I cling to "hope" in Christ and I pray this hope is contagious to all those I love.

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea Bowling Perdue


6 comments:

Denise said...

Such a lovely post my friend.

quietspirit said...

Beautiful scriptures.

Ceil said...

Hi Andrea! I am coming over from Mary's guest post.

What a beautiful middle name! It can remind you to cling to that hope in days when it's hard to find.
How interesting that your doctor gave you that name! Was that a common practice?

Nice to meet you today :)
Ceil

Andrea said...

Ceil:
Thank you for your encouraging words. I continually cling to the encouragement my name, Hope brings.

I don't believe it was the common practice. I was born in 1966 in a rural area of South Carolina. Most everyone knew each other.

Blessings,
andrea

Kathleen said...

My mother-in-law's name is Hope. So it my daughter's middle name, chosen for her grandmother. It's always harbored special sentiments for me.

It is amazing how many times & ways the Lord orchestrates events in our life. Some we see clearly; others we miss altogether. But this I know: He gave your a future & a hope that has played out for your blessing & His glory over the many years of your living. What a precious story about the "how" of this particular Providence.

Hugs,
Kathleen

Andrea said...

Kathleen:
Thank you so much for sharing about your own family and also for your words of encouragement.
Blessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea