hope Archives – Page 3 of 17

How I Sing in April’s Rain

04.30.2019 by Anna Hummer //

Welcome to Facets of Faith, space where three friends share their thoughts and experiences on life, friendship, and faith. We also introduce you to other friends who share their perspectives. Today, I (Kim) am excited to introduce you to Anna. Anna and I met about eighteen months ago when I interviewed for a job in Massachusetts. If you were able to sit with her over a cup of coffee, you would be encouraged, challenged, and prayed over with a faith that moves mountains.

Being a pastor’s wife and mom to four adorable kids, Anna has learned how to sing in every season. So grab that cup of coffee, settle in, and be ready to be encouraged as she shares what helps her sing in April’s showers.

The Hospital

I think it’s unlikely to be appendicitis.

I chocked back a sob. The young doctor was uncomfortable and shrugged off the yellow protection robe.

She is really in pain, I said pushing back the hair on my three-year-olds forehead. Right around the belly button.

This wasn’t our first rodeo. Samantha has Cystic Fibrosis, a chronic disease that affects the lungs and other organs, clogging them with sticky mucus. This trip to the ER, however, was accompanied by my 18-month-old son and, without daddy to help, I was in a glass case of emotion. I tried to keep them occupied with Paw Patrol episodes on the iPad.

Samantha started freaking out about the IV. I knelt by her bed and positioned her face to look me in the eyes. I calmed her. Look at me, it’s okay. I love you. I know it hurts and I’m right here.

I turned to the doctor. I just think I need to talk to someone from her clinic?

He tapped the clipboard and went to find another doctor. My phone vibrated with a text from my friend.

I’m praying its not appendicitis.

I’m actually kind of hoping it is! I tapped back.

For her, it could easily be something worse. I took a deep breath and pulled my son onto my lap, kissing his warm fuzzy head. I put my other hand on Samantha’s arm and waited.

Perspective

In my family, we focus on a word each season –biblical words that emphasize God’s character or the fruit of the Spirit. Last summer it was contentment. In the fall, it was faithfulness. This spring season our word is peace.

Ironic. Maybe…

Since plastering that word adorned with rainbows stickers on the fridge, my five-year-old had broken her arm, and now my three-year-old was at the ER. We had just gotten off a merry-go-round of awful winter diseases and daddy was away on ministry. I could only cry, God, what are you doing?!

I suppose I’ve learned by now that when you ask for a trait from the Lord he will be faithful in answering. He will grow you into it. He will teach you, sometimes painfully. PEACE.

Jesus said,

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27ESV

Learning to Sing

As we waited in the hospital, Sammy requested a song we’d been blasting in the van. Peace overwhelming peace is the chorus to the electronic dance track. It felt funny to listen to it in the ER, but it made us both smile even as I felt tears on my cheeks.

How do I sing in April showers? Through the tears. Because of Jesus, my current level of happiness doesn’t determine my peace. My inner security isn’t based on my circumstance even when it hurts. I’ve found in suffering our praise becomes not just encouragement, but our warfare.

David in the psalms writes,

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Pslam 121:1-2

After several, owies, pokes and tests. Add an MRI machine constructed to look like a giant sandcastle and it turned out, she did have appendicitis. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. My mom-intuition was correct. Thank you, Lord, you are good! I whispered as we wheeled her out of the test room.

Before she went into surgery, we recited the verse we’d been learning at home.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Is. 26:3

Rain doesn’t always obscure our view. Sometimes it cleans the grime from the windshield. That means I can cry and praise at the same time. Hands lifted, reciting God’s promises on an ER fold-out chair. I can be honest with Jesus because he knows. My prayer lately during a season of showers? Jesus, let this storm rage around me but not within me.

When my eyes are fixed on HIM and not the storm I can hear him say, Look at me, it’s okay. I love you. I know it hurts and I’m right here. And then together, we sing in the rain.

Hope Sings in Spring Showers

04.23.2019 by Kim Findlay //

Welcome to Facets of Faith, a space where three friends get together each month and explore topics of faith, friendship, and fun. I don’t know how it’s been in your part of the world but here in New England, we’ve had our share of rain. So what better question to explore than what helps you sing in April’s showers? Check out what Tracy and Jen shared earlier this month. I’m (Kim) so excited to introduce you to one of my New England friends in a couple of days. But for now, it’s my turn.

THE WIND

They were tired —bone-weary. Not only was it incredible work to serve thousands of people a meal, but they were still considering all they had seen. Basket after basket, there seemed to be a never-ending supply of bread and fish, enough to feed thousands of men, women, and children who sat to hear him speak.

And then it was time to go. Jesus said to his disciples that he would dismiss the people and then steal away to be alone to pray. He told them to get in the boat that bobbed by the shore and he would meet up with them later.

Peter and the others push off their boat from the edge of the shore and began the trek across the Sea of Galilee. Quiet at first, each man pondered the events of what they’d witnessed. Lost in their thoughts, serving the meal felt surreal, like a dream even though they saw the satisfied souls eat their fill with their own eyes.

Suddenly Peter’s cloak whipped about him. The wind picked up as their boat dipped and rose with the waves. Spray from the waves smacking against the boat soaked their clothes. Disoriented, they struggled to maintain the course as fear ignited their souls.

Waves crashed against one side of the boat causing it to dangerously sway and tip. Then smashed from the right, the boat rocked the other way, almost as if the waves and wind were playing a game —a deadly one. The disciples worked together to make their way through the storm, but no amount of striving or struggling could set their boat straight.

WHEN STORMS SOAK OUR FAITH

I’m not a fan of storms. The rain doesn’t bother me as much as the wind that blows through trees as it wipes the remnants of winter away. Here in New England, just as in the Midwest where I lived most of my life, gusts reach 30, 40, even 50 mph blowing over trees and knocking out power.

As I read the events of the disciples crossing the stormy sea, I find kindred spirits as they fought. The striving to keep their boat moving forward —I imagine them calling out to each other, yelling at what needs to be done next.

How often when I’m faced with a storm in my life, I take in the details, assess the situation, and then figure out what I can do to make everything better, to fix the problem —or at least what I perceive that problem to be. I bark orders to those around me, determined to control every drop of conflict toward the outcome I think should occur.

I will fix.

I will fix my problem.

And then I fall in exhaustion as I utterly miss the point.

On my own, I am helpless against the storms. In my striving, I become exhausted and overwhelmed with worry. Disappointment, discouragement, and disenchantment threaten to knock my faith out from under me, soaking me in sorrow.

HOPE BREAKS THROUGH

I imagine the utter exhaustion the disciples felt as the boat tipped and swayed at the mercy of the wind and the waves. What kinds of questions rolled through their minds?

When will this end?

Why is this happening . . .now?

Will we make it?

Where is he . . .

Oh, how often those same questions tumbled and twisted in my mind as the storms of life swirled all around me. The wind wails, drowning out my hope.

And yet . . .

How often I forget truth I’ve learned through other storms, darker monsoons that about destroyed everything. I forget the truth the disciples didn’t see but Scripture declares for us.

He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and the waves.” Mark 6:48a, NLT

Jesus saw the disciples —he knew they were in trouble as they struggled. So often as the darkness of a spring storm unleashes on us, we feel alone, isolated, wondering if the God of the universe even notices our little lives.

He does. “You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.” Psalm 139:2-3, NLT

And not only does he see us, He also draws near.

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on water.” Matthew 14:25

In fact, the very purpose of Jesus’ life was to draw us into a relationship with his Father. Through his death, he paid the penalty our sins deserve, once and for all. And through his resurrection, he conquers death, our greatest enemy. It is by him and through him that we have life and breath no matter the storm that threatens us.

He is our hope.

This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:19, NLT

And he knows our frailty.

TAKE COURAGE, HE IS HERE

He knows we fear and fret what we cannot see, even when what we cannot see is the very One who silences the storms.

. . .but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said. ‘Take courage! I am here!’ Then he climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped. They were totally amazed.” Mark 6:49-51, NLT

How do we learn to sing in April’s showers? We take courage —we take courage not only because we are seen and loved by the One who sustains us, but because he tells us to.

We learn to sing as the rain falls because He is the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and doesn’t leave us to flounder in the elements on our own.

Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” Psalm 126:5

We learn to sing because Jesus rescued us —first from sin and death, and then from the muck and mire left by the storms of life.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, our of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-3, NLT

And that is a reason to sing.

What helps you sing in April showers? We’d love for you to join the conversation either by posting below or joining us on our Facebook page.

Fall Back to Spring Forward

03.21.2019 by Kim Findlay //

Thanks for joining us this month at Facets of Faith! This space is the result of a friendship between three women who met and dug deep into life and faith, each with a unique perspective and story but united in heart for one another and Jesus. A few years ago we thought it’d be fun to write together; it seemed like a natural extension of the conversations we enjoyed while sitting in a sandwich and soup shop.

So what happens Facets of Faith here? Each month we present a question and then take turns answering. This month we’re chatting about how to spring forward with God. Tracy and Jen already shared. You can click on their names to read their responses. Come back next week and meet our guest —you won’t be disappointed!

For now, however, it’s my (Kim) turn. And I don’t know where you’re at in life, but I’ve been longing for the hope of Spring’s arrival since Fall slid into Winter.

My mom has cancer.

She was diagnosed in May of 2018 and bravely endured six rounds of chemo. She and my dad fought this beast together and last December, we cheered as she rang the “end of treatment” bell.

Many of you have faced this insidious beast. Whether it’s wreaked havoc in your own body or in one you dearly love, you understand the shock of the news, the intensity of treatment, the way you hold your breath between blood draw and body scan hoping for good news.

Unbeknownst to us, winter wrapped its icy grip around my family –the cancer remained.

What if’s plague our mind as we peer into the future and attempt to chart its course. Imagination takes over as scenarios play through our minds like a reel-to-reel movie. Thoughts take on a life of their own and strike the chord of anxiety.

The dark days of winter linger and hover, and while I long for new life to arrive in all its glorious splendor, there’s a fear of moving forward. What if the hope of spring feels too bright, like the moment a light clicks on after sitting in a darkened room? Eyes squinting, I try to limit the exposure all so I can try to limit the pain.

I don’t want to hurt. I don’t want my mom to hurt. I believe I can say with confidence . . .none of us want to hurt.

So what do we do when looking ahead brings worry and pain?

We fall back so we can spring forward. We take the risk of losing so we can gain.

It seems a little counterintuitive. Springing forward brings to mind action and determination, quickness and lightness of feet. Falling back feels like failing, like losing.

But what if that’s the point?

Think for a moment with me. Isn’t it just like the Kingdom of heaven to carry such a paradox? Consider Jesus’ Sermon the Mount where He described life in His Kingdom.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3-10, NIV

This wasn’t the only time Jesus talked about the paradox of Kingdom living.

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45

So wouldn’t it only seem fitting for us to spring forward with God, we need to fall back? How exactly do we do this?

In order to live, we die

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. Matthew 10:39

The first thing we need to do is lose our lives. We take a long hard look at ourselves and realize we’re sinners in desperate need of a Savior. Then we surrender to the reality that there is nothing we can do to fix this sin problem. There is only One, and His name is Jesus.

. . . that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” Ephesians 2:5

Losing our lives isn’t a one-time decision. It starts there, but to spring forward, to take spiritual ground and follow God with our whole hearts, we die daily to our sinful nature . . .

We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.” Romans 6:6-8, NLT

. . . and allow the Holy Spirit to create a new heart in us.

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” Ezekiel 36:26, NLT

In order to press on, we give up

Control. We all vie for it in one way or another. We think we know what’s best for our lives and set our course in the direction we want to head. But then life in a broken and lost world happens, and a cancer diagnosis interrupts our plans. We rail and wonder and cry out to God —what are you doing? Why is this happening? This wasn’t in my plan.

Job experienced this. He’s the guy in Scripture who lost his kids, his home, his livestock, and eventually his health. The pain of loss and grief was intense, and he cursed the day he was born. His friends weren’t very helpful, either. He listened and spoke and wrestled with all that happened. And then God spoke to Job. He never directly answered Job’s questions. He asked a few of His own.

Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. Will you discredit my justice and condemn me to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? can you thunder with a voice like his?.” Job 40:7-9, NLT

As Job came face to face with the Creator of the heavens and earth, he remembered who really is in control . . .and it wasn’t himself.

Nor is it us. Only God.

I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.” Job 42:2, NLT

And then His grace comes . . .

The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Exodus 14:14

In order to spring forward, we fall back

God loves us. The Bible tells us that He loves us so much that He took the punishment for the sins we deserve by sending His Son, Jesus so that we might have a relationship with Him. We sin against Him, and He made the plan to bring us back!

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17, NLT

He did the work to redeem His people, and there is nothing we can do, or have happen to us, that will ever separate us from His love.

Not cancer or disease. Not death or destruction. Not stuff we did in our past nor the things we’ll do in the future. Not loss of money or loss of love. Not shame or guilt nor confusion or doubt.

There is not a single thing that will ever stop God from loving us. Love is His nature; He is the source. Because of that, we can fall back into His loving arms and allow Him to care for us.

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” Psalm 91:1-4

Yes, my mom has cancer. And it’s scary and hard and exhausting for her, and for her family and friends who watch her suffer.

But for now, in this moment, I choose to spring forward with God fully trusting He is in control, that His love for her (and me and you) never ends, and we can rest in His Presence because He is good. And for that, we don’t lose a thing.

Thanks for reading along. I’d love for you to join our conversation by commenting below or join us over on our Facebook page. Happy Spring!