Hope.

hope –noun 1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best: to give up hope.
2. a particular instance of this feeling: the hope of winning.
3. grounds for this feeling in a particular instance: There is little or no hope of his recovery.
4. a person or thing in which expectations are centered: The medicine was her last hope.
5. something that is hoped for: Her forgiveness is my constant hope.
–verb (used with object)
6. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence.
7. to believe, desire, or trust: I hope that my work will be satisfactory.
–verb (used without object)
8. to feel that something desired may happen: We hope for an early spring.
9. Archaic. to place trust; rely (usually fol. by in).—Idiom
10. hope against hope, to continue to hope, although the outlook does not warrant it: We are hoping against hope for a change in her condition

Hope.
It's a word we use a lot. I hope it doesn't rain. I hope we have ice cream. I hope these shoes fit.

what about There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18 (NIV).
Well that's cool.
what does it mean?

It means that when I put my hope in God, when I dare to let go of the reins, stop insisting I have to be in control and let God be ...well...GOD.....I can relax. I can rest easy knowing I'm not suddenly going to be dropped. Yes, I'm a worrisome paranoid woman. But....he sees much further down the road than I do and knows exactly where I need to turn and when I need to speed up, slow down or simply stop and rest in his arms.

And that, my friends, is a reason to take a deep breath and sit back. Relax. and stop trying to figure out what the picture on the grand quilt is. To be content to work my piece and know it's just a piece of a much grander plan. Hope - promise in a future, something to look forward to...

I know the plans I have for you ... Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."- Jeremiah 29:11