CHOOSING HOPE BECAUSE OF LOVE Thursday, March 31
I Corinthians 13:13: “And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” Romans 8:24-25: “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” I wrote a devotional about my cousin several years ago. She was 31 years old and went into cardiac arrest; it was truly a miracle that she survived. Outwardly, she appeared to be very healthy, energetic, positive, and full of life. Inwardly, she struggled with mental illness and addiction. She was in a perpetual cycle of being healthy, binge drinking, detox, and rehab. My aunt and uncle tried to shelter the rest of the family from the pain and challenges they were going through with her. They had so much love for their daughter and had hope that she would be able to overcome her addiction. I know my cousin loved her parents very much, but she could not find love for herself and her hope for a bright future was clouded by self-doubt and fear. My cousin Lindsey passed away October 24th, 2021 at 37 years old. Fast forward 3 months and her mom, my aunt Janelle, just found out her triple negative breast cancer has returned. It is back as stage 4, and they can treat it but it cannot be cured. This was very difficult news for me to digest. My aunt is one of my most favorite people! She is hilarious, cheerful, lively, bubbly, kind, and one of the best storytellers you will ever meet. I keep thinking, “why her?” I usually try to remain hopeful and see the bright side in situations, but I feel so dispirited. Then I think about her. In the midst of all of that has happened, Janelle remains positive. Her words to me were, “I’m planning on being around for a long time, I have way too much to live for.” She is determined to stay positive and full of hope. She is surrounded by a very good support system. She has so many people who love her, are rooting for her, and are there to help her. She remains hopeful that the treatments will help and that they may come out with new treatments over time. She loves her family more than anything and will do whatever it takes to be around for them and with them. She is choosing hope because of love. Dear Lord, source of health and healing, please bring the spirit of calm to my life and the lives of my loved ones. Let us feel Your surrounding presence and bring health and strength and peace to all who are in need. Amen Erin Fisher, Director of Schools
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