When I say “marco polo,” what automatically comes to mind? The game that kids play in the pool? The historical explorer, perhaps, for the more academically-inclined among us? 

What if I told you it’s also an app? One that could help you and your family and friends stay connected with one another? If you’re tempted to click away because you think I’m trying to sell you something, I promise I’m not. What follows is a story about another way I found to draw closer to others, and along the way, ask myself what matters more: our hopes and dreams, or Jesus? 

One of my desires as a mom of five has been staying connected and close with my family as they grow up (that’s why I wrote my devotionals). I know I’m not alone in this! It’s a universal experience when you’re a mother…the joy and pride at watching your babies transform into these wonderful adults, while simultaneously wrestling with reality they will one day leave the nest. They don’t call this the world’s hardest job for nothing! So when I found out about Marco Polo, I had to try it. 

The app allows you to send video messages back and forth with other users, on your own schedule.  It makes me feel like we’re going back to the days of walkie-talkies (only this time with video) and it’s a wonderful way to stay connected. I have enjoyed using it so much that this summer when I spent a week with my high school friends up north, I encouraged them to download it too. It has been so much fun, and I feel so connected to them. We are learning about many different parts of one another’s lives that we did not know before, and it truly makes us laugh hysterically! Not only do I have a chat with these friends, I have a separate one with my sisters and a group one with all of my girls, nieces, mom and sisters too! The key is making sure you don’t get behind or you will find yourself watching many videos all at once! Still, it is worth it!

Having these snapshots into the lives of my loved ones inspires me as well, and makes me think about how God speaks to us all the time, in so many ways. One of my friends who’s been traveling around the east coast, was recently at the monument for Terry Fox. She took a video of the quote on the monument and sent it through Marco Polo, and it struck me because it’s all about how there is always hope, and you just have to try. It reminded me that some dreams are realized, and some are not. That is just reality, and sometimes when we don’t get what we want, it can actually be the best thing for us. 

Our hopes and dreams don’t always align with what God has planned for us, and that’s okay. That’s why we need faith…to lean on Him for guidance, in perfect trust and surrender, and be open to the paths He lays down at our feet. Even if they aren’t the ones we may have dreamed up for ourselves. One of the most important truths I have ever realized is that God’s path is hope-filled, and better than mine. No matter what we are going through we have hope in Christ.

 

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  Roman 5:3-5


Hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through his Holy Spirit. How quickly we forget where our hope comes from!

I am reminded of a song that my cousin Cliff Cline wrote, based on one of my favourite Psalms–Psalm 121– and it’s called “Where My Hope Comes From.” It’s a good reminder that there is so much more love available to us than we could ever imagine. Fully coming to that realization through the snapshots of the lives of my loved ones has inspired me to write a series about tapping into that enormous love. I have called it, Because I love Jesus More.

 
Just like all of us I am still learning, but I hope through this series that I can inspire all of us to love Jesus more than anything else in our lives today. I truly want to lay down my hopes and dreams and make sure that they are aligned with him, simply because I love Jesus more. I welcome you to come along with me on this journey! 

 

His latest song is amazing! Available on Apple and Spotify Donegal Prayer 

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/cliffcline/donegal-prayer