Comments on: When Hope is Hard

By: Jody

Jody — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 19:48:45 +0000

In reply to Rich Rondeau. Thank you Richie and Pam. That means a lot coming from you. I'm so glad you enjoyed this and pray God will use it to shine a light on His Word in all kinds of ways and places in your lives.

By: Rich Rondeau

Rich Rondeau — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:03:53 +0000

Powerful insights Jody – we enjoyed your unique approach. You express important lessons without sharing the details, yet we still get the sentiments in a way that speaks to our lives – not easy to do.

~ Richie

By: Jody

Jody — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:15:46 +0000

In reply to Devon. Thank you for that, Devon. I fear that I oversprinkle sometimes. But I do greatly appreciated when I see those familiar encouragements in various places from various people. I wonder if it's those small repetitions that serve as a chorus for this story we're living between the Garden and Home.

By: Devon

Devon — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 19:38:02 +0000

In reply to Jody.

Haha, most definitely! And I think it’s the little reminders sprinkled here (“Do not lose hope, do not give up”) and there (“do not grow weary, it’s hard to keep trusting”) that will bring about more good in my life than the watershed moments, which I so quickly forget. Try as I might not to forget them…

By: Jody

Jody — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:55:53 +0000

In reply to Devon.

Thank you for your encouragement, Devon. I want to think that just observing the cycle would put an end to it, but even in posting this–hoping it might be meaningful and encouraging to some–it seems like a mere drop.

But maybe it can fall in the sand. For a raindrop in the sand at least moves something, right? : )

By: Devon

Devon — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 16:43:34 +0000

Whew, well this is so encouraging and convicting in so many good ways. It is much easier to build my walls and be skeptical than to continue to hope and face the potential for yet more hurt…you’ve described the cycle so well. Thanks for the encouragement to keep on!

By: Jody

Jody — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:37:45 +0000

In reply to Sheri. Oh, Sheri. Thank you for sharing this wisdom. You said in a few sentences what took me a few hundred words. And these verses are gold. I love knowing the verses that have been lifelines for others. They are a beautiful connecting point as we journey together. I said a prayer for you. May God bear you up with renewed hope in unexpected places.

By: Jody

Jody — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:33:35 +0000

In reply to Heather Lange. Thank you, Heather. You are such an encouragement to me. I like to think of individual people when I write and you are one I often think of. I'm glad my stories speak to you. I love you too, sweet sister.

By: Sheri

Sheri — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:23:23 +0000

I love this! Oh yes, hope can be hard. I gave up completely on it about 15 years ago. But oh what a glorious thing to have the Lord then show me that He is my hope. I don’t need to find ways to manufacture hope, like I had believed was my duty as a faithful Christian.
A couple favorite verses for when hope is hard:
Psalm 62:5 “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.” (That whole psalm really)
John16:33 “…In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
Deuteronomy 33:27 “The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms…”
I love the picture that whatever happens His arms are there to catch me. That’s where I can always find hope when it’s hard – in His arms.
Thanks for this. I needed the reminder today. Hope has gotten hard lately.

By: Heather Lange

Heather Lange — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 21:08:01 +0000

Thank you for writing me wonderful stories from the heart. You’re a wonderful writer and they’re inspirational and true stories. I love you a whole lot (as in Forever). Just such a great writer. Keep up the good work that you do.