All in Hope
I am a very sentimental person. One item that is very dear to me is a Raggedy Ann doll. It was a birthday present from my dad when I turned four. I loved Raggedy Ann as a child. My room even had Raggedy Ann drapes, until I got too cool for the drapes. But not the doll.
Staring at the lab reports, the doctor said, “I just don’t know what to do to help you. Nothing makes sense to me.” He had been studying my condition and found there are several forms of Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). The first step is to determine which one I have. “You are stable now,” he added, “but time is of the essence.”
When my daughter was young, she had a princess birthday party. Each child was given one of those free cardboard crowns from Burger King. Something about a crown makes us feel special, even a cardboard one.
I admire people who have the natural gift to build things with their hands. My Dad is one of these types of individuals who can build just about anything. He has made me furniture, accessories for my kitchen, and small trinkets. His gifts are treasured and appreciated. As much as I love these pieces, I would never worship them
“Mom, I want you to homeschool me,” replied my daughter. I could not help but laugh at that comment. The idea of me homeschooling my kids was a hilarious thought, at least that it was I told myself. However, my daughter was very serious about her comment. I knew my only response was to pray about it. When God made it very clear homeschooling was what I was supposed to do, I felt completely unqualified for the task. I struggled in school academically, how in the world could I teach my own? I started bringing all kinds of excuses to God.
When I was in middle school and high school I used to get made fun of because of my name. Smart remarks or jabbing insults about it would cause me to resent the name I was given. As I matured in my walk with the Lord and allowed Him to build my confidence regarding my name, I learned to love and appreciate it.
When I walk into my Mom’s closet her perfume scent immediately reaches my sense of smell. Her clothing, even after washing, still releases that sweet fragrance. Every time I open the door it makes me smile because that aroma is my Mom.
In highschool I had several friends who moved away but we continued to keep in touch by writing each other letters. It allowed me to catch up with what was happening in their lives. Reading their sweet words made it seem as if distance was not a hindrance to our relationship.
These sentiments were spoken by Israel, but I suspect we’ve all felt this way at some point. Trials loom, and God seems absent. We don’t see God working for us, and we wrongly assume He has disregarded us.
Have you ever had the feeling of Spring Fever? You just want to get out and do something. You might not even know what it is you really want to do. These words came to me during one of those times:
When going through the seasons of life, you may struggle finding where you fit in. Things you once valued takes second place, and you look at life differently. Recently I heard a remake of Michael W. Smith’s song, “A Place in this World” by For King and Country.
Christmas is the time of year I look forward to the most. Friends and family coming
together, great food, and—the reason for the season--coming together for worship in
celebrating the birth of Christ. Inspired to write about this wonderful time, yet
simultaneously struggling with creativity, I turned to the most novel solution—scrolling
social media.
There are times when we feel alone as if God has sent us into exile, like the Israelites felt when exiled to Babylon for seventy years. The pain can be excruciating. Questions may arise that may lead to denial of the reality of our situation. We often cry when we recall our familiar, comfortable, and safe place where we felt God’s presence.
The Bible notes praise and thanksgiving as two separate actions used to worship God. Generally, praise focuses on adoring God’s character, while thanksgiving features things God has done.
What do you build on?
For many years … I found hope and joy from my next vacation or the next new, fun thing for my house or fancy meals eating out.
I built my hope on the things money can buy.
Sandwiched! Troubles behind and troubles on the horizon. We’ve all been there, right?
What is your typical response when difficulty hits?
My friend came to me asking for help. Her son’s illness and resulting difficulty had continued for years. She prayed repeatedly for his healing, but his condition remained the same. She was looking for answers to her questions and words of encouragement.
Yesterday, as I sat on our backyard deck and basked in the warmth of the Son, God moved my heart to praise Him. I'd just returned from a gathering of women who were assembled to learn about a local organization that supports teenage girls in foster care.
