Message of Hope (from Darlene's newest book, Learning to Dance in the Rain)
I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give another is hope.
I, too, have suffered many great hurts and losses—and there’s no words to describe how grateful I am for those who loved, supported, and prayed for me through thick and thin—especially during times when I felt I couldn’t make it another day.
When our hearts have been crushed and shattered into a million pieces, it’s easy to lose sight of our hopes and dreams. We may even wonder if God really exists at all—and if He does—has our Dream Giver abandoned us.
Some of my closest friends have expressed how overwhelming their great hurts and losses can also be—especially during the holidays—when they felt distanced by their loved ones who appeared not to care or understand how much they were still hurting. While others were consumed with cooking, shopping, and making new memories of their own, all they could focus on was the empty seat at their table reminding them of the past. Feelings of overwhelming grief, loneliness and despair almost crippled them from moving forward. Even when they did gather around to celebrate, they faked happy smiles behind their mask of painful tears. They craved sleep as their favorite pastime to simply stop the pain—like an addict craves a fix.
I can honestly say I don’t know what you are going through, and I am not claiming to be an expert or to fully understand your great hurts, losses or fears. I only know what I’ve experienced in my own personal struggles. My wings have been clipped many times over causing me to spiral out-of-control in the wrong direction. There have been times when I just wanted to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. It took all my energy and strength to crawl out of bed—and face another day. When I should have been focusing on my own issues, I’ve tried to change a loved one’s behavior or to fix their situation in my own power and strength—only to clip their wings in the process. I’ve come to realize only God can change a person’s behavior—only God can heal a wounded heart—and only God can get us out of the miry pit from where we lay.
My message to you is that many of us do care. As much as we want to make your hurts simply vanish and go away, we can only understand your suffering from our own perspective and experiences. I’ve found what helps me the most is a strong shoulder to cry on, a warm hug, and an attentive ear. But, even if no one is there to offer you those things, I know the One who can. We can call out to God anytime—and anywhere.
Only our Creator can heal a tired and weary soul, because He knows all our struggles—as well as our potential. Even God knew felt indescribable pain when His only Son, Jesus Christ, was nailed unmercifully to a cross. But Jesus Himself proved that death isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning. Because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, death doesn’t have to be our final goodbye—because one day, for those of us who have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we will see our loved ones again on the other side. (See Romans 10:9-10). So, lift up your eyes toward Heaven, because hope is on the horizon.
When we reach out to God, He reaches out to us and will supernaturally cradle us in His loving arms. No matter how deeply you are grieving right now, quitting is never an option—especially in the middle of the storm! Healing will come, but it will take time—and no one can put a time limit upon it. It’s okay to be angry—it’s okay to cry—and it’s okay to be gut honest. Just be true to yourself! When we surrender our great hurts, losses and fears to our Creator, healing will come—even though the scars remain.
One day, you will marvel as you arise from your stupor to find that a new bud of hope has blossomed. My prayer is that in due time you will use the wisdom learned through your own valley of sorrow and suffering to minister to others who are going through similar struggles. A friend once shared our light shines brightest when we have learned to trust God in the dark. You may very well be that light shining the brightest … the candle lighting the path for others to follow out of their own dark tunnels of grief, hopelessness, and despair.
The storms of life have a way of silencing the songs we once sang; but a new and happier song is still waiting to be heard. Listen as God’s beautiful melody is whispered into your soul, beckoning for you to come closer. May God’s healing balm of faith, hope and love gently bind up your wounds and wash away your tears—giving you renewed strength—and the courage to stand strong—even in life’s most treacherous storms.
Your Heavenly Father is with you right now—whether you're in the valley, alone on the mountaintop, in the fiery furnace, or in the middle of a storm. Only He can pull you out of your deep despair. Reach out in faith and grab the lifeline—the hand of Jesus. Let Him be your guide as He teaches you how to ... dance in the rain.
I believe one of the greatest gifts we can give another is hope.
I, too, have suffered many great hurts and losses—and there’s no words to describe how grateful I am for those who loved, supported, and prayed for me through thick and thin—especially during times when I felt I couldn’t make it another day.
When our hearts have been crushed and shattered into a million pieces, it’s easy to lose sight of our hopes and dreams. We may even wonder if God really exists at all—and if He does—has our Dream Giver abandoned us.
Some of my closest friends have expressed how overwhelming their great hurts and losses can also be—especially during the holidays—when they felt distanced by their loved ones who appeared not to care or understand how much they were still hurting. While others were consumed with cooking, shopping, and making new memories of their own, all they could focus on was the empty seat at their table reminding them of the past. Feelings of overwhelming grief, loneliness and despair almost crippled them from moving forward. Even when they did gather around to celebrate, they faked happy smiles behind their mask of painful tears. They craved sleep as their favorite pastime to simply stop the pain—like an addict craves a fix.
I can honestly say I don’t know what you are going through, and I am not claiming to be an expert or to fully understand your great hurts, losses or fears. I only know what I’ve experienced in my own personal struggles. My wings have been clipped many times over causing me to spiral out-of-control in the wrong direction. There have been times when I just wanted to pull the covers over my head and go back to sleep. It took all my energy and strength to crawl out of bed—and face another day. When I should have been focusing on my own issues, I’ve tried to change a loved one’s behavior or to fix their situation in my own power and strength—only to clip their wings in the process. I’ve come to realize only God can change a person’s behavior—only God can heal a wounded heart—and only God can get us out of the miry pit from where we lay.
My message to you is that many of us do care. As much as we want to make your hurts simply vanish and go away, we can only understand your suffering from our own perspective and experiences. I’ve found what helps me the most is a strong shoulder to cry on, a warm hug, and an attentive ear. But, even if no one is there to offer you those things, I know the One who can. We can call out to God anytime—and anywhere.
Only our Creator can heal a tired and weary soul, because He knows all our struggles—as well as our potential. Even God knew felt indescribable pain when His only Son, Jesus Christ, was nailed unmercifully to a cross. But Jesus Himself proved that death isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning. Because of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, death doesn’t have to be our final goodbye—because one day, for those of us who have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we will see our loved ones again on the other side. (See Romans 10:9-10). So, lift up your eyes toward Heaven, because hope is on the horizon.
When we reach out to God, He reaches out to us and will supernaturally cradle us in His loving arms. No matter how deeply you are grieving right now, quitting is never an option—especially in the middle of the storm! Healing will come, but it will take time—and no one can put a time limit upon it. It’s okay to be angry—it’s okay to cry—and it’s okay to be gut honest. Just be true to yourself! When we surrender our great hurts, losses and fears to our Creator, healing will come—even though the scars remain.
One day, you will marvel as you arise from your stupor to find that a new bud of hope has blossomed. My prayer is that in due time you will use the wisdom learned through your own valley of sorrow and suffering to minister to others who are going through similar struggles. A friend once shared our light shines brightest when we have learned to trust God in the dark. You may very well be that light shining the brightest … the candle lighting the path for others to follow out of their own dark tunnels of grief, hopelessness, and despair.
The storms of life have a way of silencing the songs we once sang; but a new and happier song is still waiting to be heard. Listen as God’s beautiful melody is whispered into your soul, beckoning for you to come closer. May God’s healing balm of faith, hope and love gently bind up your wounds and wash away your tears—giving you renewed strength—and the courage to stand strong—even in life’s most treacherous storms.
Your Heavenly Father is with you right now—whether you're in the valley, alone on the mountaintop, in the fiery furnace, or in the middle of a storm. Only He can pull you out of your deep despair. Reach out in faith and grab the lifeline—the hand of Jesus. Let Him be your guide as He teaches you how to ... dance in the rain.
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