Hope: A Courageous Journey of FaithSample

DEVOTION - TODAY'S DISCUSSION "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you:  God is light; in him there is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5 NIV)  Can you imagine pure light where there is not one speck of darkness? As humans we see and experience so much darkness throughout our lives.  It is difficult, and at times, almost impossible to see God's glory, God's perfect plan when we are suffering at the core of our being.  Yet in our darkest hours, God is with us, holding us with His arms so that we do not fall "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." (Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV)  Even though you may not see Him in the moment, He is there and he does promise us the pain will end "Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end." (Isaiah 60:20).  Living in collaboration with God day by day, step by step, allows His pure light to shine in our lives. Is He waiting for you to take the first step? FROM "TAYLOR'S GIFT" THE BOOK “Taylor has a severe brain injury with a lot of swelling,” Dr. Pemblee* began. “We operated, trying to do everything we could, but—” “Oh, God, have we lost our daughter?” Tara said, not wanting her to finish her sentence.  I was on the edge of my seat. My chest burned like an invisible vise was squeezing it, preventing me from breathing. “In the twenty-two years I’ve done this surgery, I’ve never seen anyone survive it,” Dr. Pemblee said. “You need to prepare yourselves for that. That’s the reality.” There was a long pause as I tried to make sense of her words. Taylor was alive? But, for how long? Tara grabbed the edge of her seat as if to hold herself back, and then she suddenly started screaming. “Get out! Get out! I need you to leave—right now!” “Tara, wait!” I said, grabbing her wrist. “She’s not going to die! She’s not!” Tara screamed. Dr. Pemblee looked down, busying herself with the notes in her lap. I wrapped my arms around Tara and pulled her toward me. She buried her face into my chest and sobbed. TODAY'S REFLECTIONS Do you believe that no matter what your circumstances are, God is truly with you and never leaves your side?  Our circumstance is not always ours to understand.  Can you stand in faith today and cast your worries only on Him through prayer? "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34 NIV)