Hope

I have a little story to tell about the past 3 1/2 years. It's just a small part of my life's story. It all started with 3 year old Kira in February of 2009. Barry and I were able to be in the room with her and her family when they removed her from life support and let her join Jesus. Then, in April 2009, I was able to be with Mike in ICU when he died. In July 2011, most of my family and I gathered around my grandfather as he breathed his last. In March 2012, we were able to be with Barry's mom as she made the decision to be removed from life support. Just before, she mouthed the words "take care of him" to me. Then in August 2012 a dear friend of mine died at 31 years of age. I know it's not a happy story, but it's my story. This year has been a challenge. As I write this, I am a month away from grad school graduation. Three of the 5 losses I have experienced have been during school. I actually had to take an online exam or two while in the ICU waiting area with my mother in law. I began my last semester of school just days after my dear friend died. I don't tell you these things to ask for sympathy, merely to paint a picture of my story. The other challenges are simply life itself. Our country is at a crossroads, one that I am fearful of. We are in a moral, economical, and most importantly, spiritual decline. We are all surrounded by hurt, loss, suffering, frustrations, lack of patience, waywardness. I long for the day I am reunited with my loved ones and the Lord himself. I struggle with, what do I do with the days that I have? How can I be different? How can I be a light in so much darkness? My own sense of personal loss is great. What do I possibly have to offer to others? The answer is simple. Hope. I have hope. I have hope for things unseen. I have hope in the words of promise I read from the Bible. I know many feel it is an archaic, obsolete book of history. Funny, though, when I read about history, the stories cannot be told independent of one another. And the biblical principles that applied to ancient times are still applicable today. It's pretty simple, actually. Hope. It is a choice, though. I could choose to have no hope. To just give up and accept the status quo or what I see before me. But I refuse to accept a downward spiral. I refuse to accept defeat. I refuse to accept the darkness. With a spin in the right direction, a spiral can be reversed. There are battles that will be lost (our physical deaths) but the war over death has been won. Eternal victory is available. There is always light at the end of darkness. But it is a choice to see this way. "...the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitude of the heart." Hebrews 4:12. So here's the deal. In my hurt, in my loss, in my struggles, I have found this deep seeded need to help, to reach out, to pray. Everyone has a story. How can I pray for you? What is your story? If you are not a Christian, that's ok. It is not my job to make you a Christian, but to simply show you Christ's love through me. It's up to you and Him on acceptance. But what I want is to pray for you, listen to you, love you, HOPE for and with you. You have a story to tell. Tell it. Even if your story seems dark and dismal, it can and will give light to someone else. By giving your story a voice, you create a path, an avenue, for someone else to open up and tell their story because it's ok. If there is any way I can pray for you, please let me know. My email address is rmw4jc@yahoo.com.