Hope Victorious

  What a joy to turn 52 years old!   I live life surrounded by amazing people, full of adventure, growth and challenges. I stand on a foundation, years in the making, of evidence of the goodness and faithfulness of God. I am grateful for the view from this point in my life. I look back and see all I have learned, how I’ve grown and what I’ve overcome. I look to the future with hope and determination to see the redemption of all that is unresolved or painful now. My history, these 52 years I’ve lived so far are such a mixture, but in it all I see the constant pursuit of God. He persisted in pursuing me. I see His love, convincing me. I see my choices; first to run and hide. My choice to despair and try to earn my rescue. I see my season of giving up and the dark, tear and blood stained tries of brokenness and pain when I let unworthiness overwhelm me. I see God’s pursuit; His unrelenting and fierce love for me.   He never gave up on me. I did, but He did not. Even at my ...

  I have seen you and I know you I have experienced your touch Heard your voice Felt the wonder of your love   I have experienced the reality of you Creator   -   Saviour   -   Redeemer You have walked with me Love   -   Hope   -   Wisdom Faithful Friend   I have sought you and called for you I have found you and heard your answer Still I find you Again and again I hear and feel your words to me I am sustained And yet I hunger for more   I am convinced of you I am assured of me, in light of you A future bright with promise Dreams held firmly within your faithfulness   And so I rest my hope Fully On the power that comes to me As I encounter you As I see you and know you As we walk together   “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ”           ...

  I believe that God is not limited by time. Scripture teaches us that God exists outside of time and that while He is present with us, He simultaneously exists in our future and our past. Of course, our human reasoning has difficulty understanding what that means and how it is possible. We often desire to understand and become frustrated when we are unable to grasp a concept intellectually. This can frustrate and even limit our pursuit of relationship with God. God is spirit and our connection with Him is by faith. Faith is, by definition, unseen. So there is a limit to how much we can rely on understanding as we relate to God. He will always require us to have faith. Hebrews 11:6 states this truth in this way: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.”   When we consider the timelessness of God, we must surrender our desire to understand...

  I write because I enjoy writing. I have always written letters, little poems, lists, thoughts, dreams and ideas. I love to write cards to friends. I fill journals and notebooks. I write on scraps of paper and the backs of receipts. In books I write my thoughts and questions in the margins. I always dreamed of writing and publishing books. I thought I would write children’s books. I dreamed of publishing a book of poems that would celebrate the beauty and peace of nature. I had a knowing, deep down, that I would write a book about healing, innocence and my journey to wholeness after sexual abuse. This last one is the dream that has been realized. I published “Restored Innocence” in December 2020. I wrote that book over the course of several years, in the midst of raising 4 boys. Taking the step of publishing, was huge and it transformed me. It was a risk, an investment and brought its own challenges. I’m so grateful for that experience and I hope to publish more books in the futur...

New beginnings can be both exciting and intimidating. Whether it is a new job, the start of a new year or living in a new city, there are unknowns associated with a “fresh start”. There is potential for both blessing and hardship, for growth, for challenges and rewards. Often the way one feels about the start of something new is largely impacted by how they feel about what preceded.   If your focus at the close of 2025 was on how you grew and the good things that took place, you are more likely to be looking forward with anticipation to this new year. If instead, your attention is drawn to the disappointments or failings of the completed year, it is more likely that you will enter the new year with discouragement and anxiety.   I find it helpful to acknowledge both the challenges that caused pain and those that felt rewarding. Strength can be drawn from both as well as wisdom and reliance. If there are regrets associated with ending a year or things that remain unresolved, it...

  Anticipation Preparation   Celebration   A grateful heart Love of family Joy of friends   Warmth of the fire Twinkling white lights Resting together   Christmastime is reflection time Remembering all I have The feeling of love and purpose   Christmastime is when I feel the strategy of being here A witness to heaven on earth The power and assurance of faith   Christmastime is a reminder of what I am living for Abundant life now and yet more to come Evidence of love and power   Warmth of love Secure in who and whose I am United in faith with those I love most   A grateful heart To God for all His blessings Hope for all to come   Celebration   Preparation Anticipation