Fanning the Flame of Hope Within

Too often, this time of the year brings about a busyness that is unparalleled.

In a furious rush we pace about trying to put a proverbial bow on our year. If your holiday season is anything like mine, there’s an interesting progression that takes place as the days count down:

Select the perfect tree, put up all of the decorations as Christmas music fills the air with nostalgia, take pictures of the kids with Santa, creatively relocate the Elf of the Shelf, craft intricate handmade ornaments with the kids, send out Christmas cards, relocate the Elf, mail packages to out-of-town family members, think of thoughtful gifts for the kid’s teachers, relocate the Elf, attend the company’s not-so-enjoyable Christmas party, find outfits for the neighbor’s Christmas Sweater party, stand in the freezing cold to fool with the strand of lights that went out, relocate the stinking Elf, half-heartedly wrap gifts at the last-minute, pretend not to be angry while you wait in traffic to pick up a stocking stuffer, drink the spiked eggnog like it’s blessed manna, if I have to come up with one more location for this stupid Elf…

By the end, I change the channel on the Christmas station to 80’s rock and delightfully tear down the decorations to the sounds of AC/DC and Guns ’N Roses.

The funny thing is, that’s pretty much how every year feels, isn’t it?

In January, we’re hopeful of all that is to come. By the time summer rolls around, we still believe we have time to refocus. But when winter arrives, we’ve nearly given up hope.

But not this year. This year, I was reminded that hope is the thing dreams are made of.

Winter is coming...

Winter is coming…

Come Before Winter

It was this time last year when I began praying about my vision and goals for 2014. During that time, there were so many uncertainties and fear was commonly present. I knew that I was supposed to write a book, but the entire picture was yet to be made clear.

How could I possibly juggle my career, fatherhood, and this new endeavor?

As I wrestled with these emotions, I was reading an ac

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5 Responses to Fanning the Flame of Hope Within

  1. Jon Stallings December 10, 2014 at 10:05 am #

    Great podcast Matt & congratulations on your book. – We do need to have hope and trust in the faithfulness of God. – I am amazed by Paul. All the time he was in prison (house or dungeon) he never asked for people to pray that he would be set free. Only that doors would be open for him to preach with boldness. Somehow he had the hope and trust that allowed him to focus on his greater call instead of is current circumstances. – Hope I can grow to that place.

    • Matt Ham December 11, 2014 at 9:21 am #

      Jon –
      I love the desire and heart behind your hope. That is certainly something to be hopeful for. I appreciate you listening and taking the time to share. In case we don’t exchange words again, have a Merry Christmas.

  2. Dan Black December 11, 2014 at 2:14 pm #

    “I was reminded that hope is the thing dreams are made of.” What a powerful and true statement. Hope can drive us toward a better future. Great post! Proud of all you are doing!

    • Matt Ham December 11, 2014 at 4:28 pm #

      Thanks, Dan! How’s the new book coming along?

      • Dan Black December 11, 2014 at 7:24 pm #

        Your welcome:) I’ve written about 100 pages so far and still have about 20-30 pages until it’s finished. Slow and steady.