Hope in Your Pockets

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13

Instead of carrying her money in her purse or pockets, Hanna put her money in her mouth. She was an elderly soul who lived in the same small Pennsylvania town where my mother grew up.

Hanna used to walk around town, my mother told us, with money in her mouth. While shopping, my mom and her sisters would see her spit the money into her hand when making a purchase. (In the 1930’s you could actually buy things with a few coins.)

Why would Hanna keep money in her mouth? Was she afraid someone would steal it? Was she afraid she would accidentally drop it if she kept it somewhere reasonable . . . like inside her wallet? Did she decide it was a convenient way to carry her cash because she had no pocketbook or pockets? Was she unable to afford a change purse? Or did she learn to carry her money in her mouth by her mother’s example?

Can you imagine the horrible unforgettable taste of pennies, nickles, dimes, and quarters in your mouth?

If you ever had the nerve to carry money in your mouth I’m certain you’d never ever forget how it tasted. YUCK. You’d be keenly aware of it’s obnoxious presence.

Some repulsive things we carry, however, are more subtle.

The negative attitudes of a judgmental spirit, unforgiveness, or self-criticism can be mindless habits that go undetected.

They are like lint, or used tissues, in your pockets.

Other objectionable things you may hold in your pockets are things you agree to carry for other people. Things such as their opinions, ideas, and lies. The ones that don’t even resonate with you, but you don’t want to be disagreeable. You cram them all into your pockets anyway.

What’s in your pockets? Are you aware? Why do you keep those things there? Are they good things? Truthful things? Or lies . . . yours or someone else’s?

Your infinitely powerful God can fill your pockets to overflowing with joy, hope, and peace.

It’s a promise.

“May the God of hope fill you (your pockets) with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ( mine)

It’s not about working hard enough to earn it, or being good enough to deserve it, but it’s about putting yourself in the right position to receive it.

Instead of having your hands in your pockets fumbling with your negative attitudes or mimicking someone else’s negative attitudes, stretch your hands upward. In this position, and in this quiet moment, let God fill you with His presence. And as you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.

• Put yourself in position to receive God’s outstanding goodness to you

• Fill your pockets with His thoughts about you.

See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands… (Is. 49:16) 

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Pet. 5:10)

I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15 )

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)