When we hope for something, the timeline is usually very simple. We want whatever it is we’re hoping for, and we want it now. Or better yet, yesterday. The idea of spending days, much less years, patiently hoping for something sounds nearly unbearable.

This is why a look at the Hebrew word for hope reveals a fascinating twist: the word tikvah (hope) contains the root kavah, which means “to wait.” In other words, waiting is literally a central part of hoping.

The Ink & Willow line infuses contemplation and inspiration into the regular spiritual practice of creative-minded Christians, wherever they are in their faith journey. Each thoughtfully curated gift product is based in biblical truth and sparks a reminder of how God reveals beauty in the midst of our ordinary.

Excerpted from 40 Days of Intentional Living: A Challenge to Cultivate Faith Through Devotions, Journaling, and Prayer. Copyright © 2021 by Ink & Willow. To be published by WaterBrook, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, on January 26, 2021.