We have this hope....

I posted this on my facebook last week, and wanted to share it again...especially for those who can't see my facebook.

I went to a conference yesterday with a bunch of staff from Grace in Omaha, NE. The keynote speaker was Gail Griffith. She shared the story of here teenage son's attempted suicide and his battle with depression. It was all very interesting, but very sad. During the Q n A time a gentleman asked what advice she had to parents who go through the same thing and struggle with forgiving themselves. She admitted that she hadn't forgiven herself yet, and she wasn't sure what advice to give. I felt so sad as she said this because I knew that she didn't have the hope that I do. She doesn't know about the forgiveness that God has, and how God can help her heal. It made me very thankful to know that I have that forgiveness and hope. I know that, though it is hard at the time, it will get better and I have a loving Father to hold me and guide me. It made me think about what all has been going on with my dad and our family. If I didn't have hope in Jesus Christ, how much harder it would have been to go through that whole ordeal. Same with when my friend Emily died. If I didn't know that Jesus would be there with me every step of the way, I don't know how I would have survived. I wanted to share my revelation, if you will, and hopefully encourage you. The hope I have in Christ is an everlasting hope that will never fade with time. No matter what I go through, He will always be there for me to guide me, strengthen me, love me, and carry me. If you ever find yourself in a hard situation, or even when things are good remember that you have someone who is always there for you and will never leave you.