taking rest in Hope...

It's Monday morning, I've gotten the kids off to school and Carlos off to work coffee in tow. It's a beautiful and chilly outside I'm under my down comforter propped up on 4 or 5 pillows, reading scriptures, talking to God, and writing (a few of my favorite things to do.) I have been lately feeling an overwhelming sence of gratitude. It's like something just finally clicked with me and I'm realizing how unbelievably blessed I am. I have always been thankful for all I have in my life, and I thought I was hopeful but when I really started to study what hope is I realized that I was wishful. The difference? It seems the first way is circumstantial, the second is virtue of the heart. True hope becomes a part of your character, it's there in the good times and bad times.
A few definitions of hope:

hope (hp)

v. hoped, hop·ing, hopes

v.intr.

1. To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.

2. Archaic To have confidence; trust.

v.tr.

1. To look forward to with confidence or expectation: We hope that our children will be successful.

2. To expect and desire.

n.

1. A wish or desire accompanied by confident expectation of its fulfillment.

2. Something that is hoped for or desired: Success is our hope.

3. One that is a source of or reason for hope: the team's only hope for victory.

4. often Hope Christianity The theological virtue defined as the desire and search for a future good, difficult but not impossible to attain with God's help.

5. Archaic Trust; confidence.

God has given me hope as a gift, it wasn't something I could give myself believe me I tried. This scripture I found kinda says it all...

Fair are the places marked out for me; I have a noble heritage. I will give praise to the Lord who has been my guide; knowledge comes to me from my thoughts in the night.
I have put the Lord before me at all times; because he is at my right hand, I will not be moved.
Because of this my heart is glad, and my glory is full of joy: while my flesh takes its rest in hope.

Psalms 16:6-9