August, New Beginnings & Living with Expectation

There is something I love about the beginning of a new month.

It feels like opening a blank page. A fresh start. Another opportunity to walk with God and see what He has planned. As we step into August, I have been thinking about the number 8 in the Bible. It is often associated with new beginnings. While our faith is built on Christ and His Word, biblical symbols can remind us of God's promises and His faithfulness through every season. More than anything, August reminds me to live with expectation. Somewhere along the way, many of us stop expecting good things because we are afraid of disappointment. We tell ourselves not to hope too much. We lower our expectations to protect our hearts. But that isn't what Scripture teaches us.

The Bible tells us to ask. It tells us to believe. It tells us not to doubt. Being expectant is not wishful thinking. It is faith. It is trusting that God hears our prayers and that He is already at work, even when we cannot yet see the answer. That doesn't mean everything will happen the way we imagined. It means we trust the One who knows what is best for us. One of the things I enjoy most is spending time in my garden. When I plant herbs or flowers, I don't dig them up every morning to check if they are growing. I water them, care for them, and wait. I expect growth because I know something is happening beneath the surface. Faith is much the same. We pray. We trust. We keep walking. We wait with hope because God is always working, even when everything looks quiet.

One of my favourite verses says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19). What if God is already doing that new thing in your life? 

What if the prayer you whispered months ago is already taking root? What if this month is the beginning of something beautiful? As we welcome August, my prayer is that we choose to live with expectation. Let's ask boldly. Let's believe without doubting. Let's keep our eyes open for the new things God is doing. I have a feeling this month is going to be beautiful. Happy August, friends.

 May God surprise you with His goodness.

Love, Elle 🌿