Hope's Walk With God.

Sometime we think, "Why...why me...why now....or maybe why do I have to go through this?"

And those of us with faith say, "God sees the bigger picture." Don't get me wrong...being human I have my moments where I say, "Okay God, you wanna give me a hint at what the bigger picture is." You know, just so I know I am on the right track, "Right." However, most of the time the answer I receive is never quite what I expect.

The other day I found myself wondering about life and "The bigger picture, " when I was reminded of God's grace, love, acceptance, and hope, by the most unsuspecting person.

For those of you who don't know....I am a nurse. The following story is about a patient of mine that touched my heart. I will not be using real names...as you may have guessed...for confidentiality reasons.

As I took report that morning I noted that the nurse before me said she wasn't sure if the patient, Hope, had any family. I was told since admission no one had been to visit. I was also told that many attempts to acquire the home phone number or a family member had been unsuccessful. Hope had many chronic illnesses and had been bed bound for five years.

So I started my day like any other, introducing myself and assessing each person I would be caring for for the day. That afternoon to my surprise two visitors came walking out of her room. After asking who they were Hope looked up at me not knowing what my beliefs were and said, "God sent them to me." She looked out the window from her bed and then back at me. After pausing for a while she continued, "He is good." God that is. She went on to explain that she hadn't seen those two friends for many years. One of the visitors, being a pastor, told her he woke up that morning and knew God wanted him and his wife to visit her. They new she was in a hospital but they did not know which one, so they began to drive. They came to one of the hospitals feeling lead by God and there they found Hope.

With tears in her eyes Hope said, "He loves little old me. Out of all the people in the world and all the things he has to do, I am that important to him. Can you see how much he cares about us. He loves me so much. I love him because he loves me."

It took my breath away to see such passion and faith. She went on to tell me she never thought she would be this way. Referring to her health and being unable to walk. She then said, "God knows why and I know someday I will walk again." I knew she was right, whether here or in heaven she would. God was here with his arms around her, comforting her, romancing her, and telling her know how much he loves her.

No other picture needed. Hope has the right idea. In truth the only bigger picture we really need is the one where we see ourselves walking next to Jesus.

Amen to that! :-)

It's Been One Yr Since I Left For Africa!

It's crazy to think last year this very day I shaved my head. Needless to say my hair has grown back pretty fast. As I look back I realize how much I have grown as well. I never thought I would have done, seen, or learned all the amazing things I have this last year. It was a truly amazing year.

I never could have imagined where God would take me. I don't think I ever really voiced how scarred I was. I felt stupid, like I was giving up everything. I questioned if I was running away. I never really knew what I would be giving up. And in the end I gain more than I ever could imagine.

Having a personal relationship with God is the best thing I could have ever found. I continue to grow, mature, learn, and make mistakes. I feel stronger in some ways and am more aware of how much I need God every day.

I look forward to this new year. How I will grow, learn, change, and where God will take me. God is with us in the amazing times and the worst of times. We are imperfect and he loves us just the way we are. Thank you for loving me Lord. :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!