Jeremiah 29:11-13New International Version :For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.DEVOTION, January 2, 2021, Olive leaf. After seven days Noah again sent out the dove from the boat, and that evening it came back to him with a fresh olive leaf in its mouth. Gen.8.10-11″ Noah and his family had been on the ark for many months. I am sure tempers were wearing thin. When you are shut up with the same people for months (think “covid”), you long for a return to normalcy. Noah and his family were longing to see dry ground. Noah sends out a dove, and it returns with a fresh olive leaf. That means land is near! Their ordeal is about to come to an end. The dove brought hope. Don’t we love the olive leaves of life? The doctor says, “It appears your cancer may be in remission.” A friend says, “I can help you with those finances.” When we are struggling with life’s problems, we look for hope. We want someone to bring us an olive leaf. We can do that for each other. When others are suffering, we can speak a word of hope and encouragement to them. The strange thing is that when we are an olive leaf to others, others are there for us. Is someone you know struggling? Maybe God wants you to be their olive leaf. Father, help me to be aware of the needs of others. I want to be a person who brings hope to others. I pray in the name of Jesus, who brought eternal hope to the world. Amen.