Topic: A Definition Of Hope, Part 2 Of 2, The Planting And Nurturing Of Good Seeds

The second part of our definition of hope is "Having a heart, mind, and soul overflowing with the expectation of what we have pictured." Without ideas, pictures, or images in our mind connecting to the future, we do not expect anything because there is nothing to expect. Without expectations in the form of ideas, pictures or images, we need no map into the future because we see no place to go in the future. Without expectations in the form of ideas, pictures, or images of the future then we need no wisdom because we need no skills to move forward. What we are saying is this: our beginnings of hope are in the ideas and images we have in our mind, and these ideas and images are like seeds. Like any seeds, our ideas and images can be chosen. If you plant a garden, you can choose the seeds you plant. In the fertile soil of your mind you can choose ideas and images you want to hold within your mind. The kinds of seeds you choose are critical. Good seeds bring forth good plants. Bad seeds bring forth bad plants. Just as critical are the ideas and images you plant in your mind. Good ideas and good images produce an abundant life. Bad ideas and images produce a life of turmoil and discontent. In a real garden, once the seeds are planted you must water, weed, and fertilize the growing plants. In the garden of your mind, you must nourish ideas and images as well as remove the bad ideas and images (the weeds) so the good plants will grow and flourish. However, if you have the right kind of ideas or images in your mind and all you do is walk around with these ideas and images in your head, nothing will happen. The object of finding, keeping, and having hope is to make your hopes and dreams come alive. Our objective is to turn our mental ideas and images into real persons, things, or situations in life. The focus of your mind should not only be on continually planting good seeds, but also upon the care, nourishment, and protection of the sprouted plants. A good gardener spends very little time actually putting seeds in the ground compared to all the other activities of gardening. Planting seeds takes little time or effort. Generating new ideas and images takes little time or effort in the overall scope of finding, keeping, and having hope. The real work comes in the care, nourishment, and protection of the new sprouts so the new little plants can grow into maturity.

If these words have been a blessing to you please forward them to a friend.

These words were posted at one of Shepherd's Care Ministries Sites called Wisdom Moment. This site is located at:
http://www.shepherdscare.net/wisdomminute

Shepherd's Care Ministries Main Site located at:
http://www.shepherdscare.net/