Are things looking dark and hopeless?

I've written another post for Beulah Girl!  Let me encourage you to click on the image below and read it.  I attempt to answer this question: What should we do when things look dark and hopeless? 

After you read the title of the post, you'll know exactly what I think we should do...

I'm specifically referring to those times in life when the wind and the waves seemingly attempt to overtake us.  In moments like that, we cry out, "Lord! What should I do?!"

Peter had such a moment in Matthew 14:22-33.

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

So, what should we do when things look dark and hopeless?  Well, the above passage shows us what NOT to do.  Do not doubt your Savior.  He has a plan! He is in control!

Trust in Jesus!

Please click on the image above or the link below to read more about why we should trust in Jesus and how this is manifested in my life.  My prayer, always, is that you will read what I have written and be encouraged!

Today's forget-me-not: Why I Trust in God When Things Look Hopeless

my story about a Precious kitty

In the summer of the year 2000, a certain black cat, about two years of age, adopted our back porch as her new home.

My black kitty on the right, obviously, and the kitty we got a year later on the left.
This picture shows the sliding glass door to the porch where I first found this sweet cat.

I had just gotten married a year earlier and moved to Georgia from Indiana. The move was emotionally harder than I expected, and I was still battling homesickness. Back in the Midwest, I had left behind a cat I was particularly fond of. It was one of many things I was missing after moving south with my new husband.  So when this black cat made her entrance into my life, it felt good to have a feline available to hold and pet and cuddle again.  She made me smile with her sweet demeanor. She made me feel a little less lonely. It was amazing how friendly she was!

I began to spend a good bit of time out on the back porch where she would hop into my lap and purr while I stroked her ebony fur.  I would whisper to her, "You are just so precious! Oh, so precious!"

I became very attached to her, and I wanted desperately to make her our indoor kitty. I was afraid something awful would happen to her the longer she remained outdoors. Unfortunately, the contract of the town home we were renting specifically stated, "No animals."

Despite this obstacle, I begged my husband to call the landlord and ask him if he wouldn't mind making an exception for us. I just knew this would work. It had to! I was certain God wanted me to have this cat. So, reluctantly, hubby called the property owner.  And, surprisingly, he said we could take in the stray cat!

Upon hearing this great news, we took in the most precious black cat anyone could ever meet.  In fact, that's what my husband suggested we name her, Precious, since every time I looked at her that word would escape my lips.

Loving her was so easy because she loved us back twofold. For fifteen years, she was a beautiful addition to our family.

Sadly, on Thursday, June 4th, we had to make the decision to put Precious to rest as she most likely had some type of cancer which was evidenced by a big tumor near her throat.  She was obviously in pain, and we couldn't let that go on.  Although it grieved me greatly, it was the least I could do for this precious kitty who had brought me such comfort when I was hurting. Now, it was my turn to provide relief to pain as she had done for me so many years ago.

And when I said my goodbye as I held her in my arms, I said, "Thank you."  Those two words, I uttered them over and over again as I stared into her calm eyes while listening to her purr. I think she heard me. I think she understood.  It was as if her purpose in this life had been accomplished.

Thank you, Lord, for sending me this angel in my hour of need.  I look forward to seeing her again one day.

Today's forget-me-not: my Precious

Footprints on the Heart

Last Saturday, I ran in another 5K for pregnancy and infant loss awareness (PAIL).

The organization that put together this event is called Footprints on the Heart and is located in Euharlee, Georgia. 

Created in 2012, this organization's "goal is to raise awareness, and education, for pregnancy and infant loss in [the] local community."  At some point, the ladies who created Footprints on the Heart "hope to create a non-profit organization that offers various services/resources to those who have been affected by pregnancy and infant loss."  And I have no doubt they will be successful in their endeavors!

This 5K run and 1M walk event in Euharlee was fantastic!  You could tell they really put their hearts and souls into creating an occasion where baby loss moms could come together to remember and to honor their lost children. I was proud to wear my remembrance t-shirt and run for Angel and babies lost too soon at this event.

I ran a great race, and I finished at just above 35 minutes. I was fourth in my age group out of nine.

Footprints on the Heart is really a great endeavor! One of the things this organization does is create infant gowns for stillborn babies out of donated wedding dresses. 

I plan on donating my dress at some point!

If you can support this organization in any way, shape, or form, let me encourage you to do so!  They work tirelessly to spread awareness for PAIL and to create opportunities for us to remember our children.  For example, at this recent event, they had a list of over 500 names of those babies lost too soon, and they honored them by reading each and every name aloud before having a balloon release!

The long list of names is hanging on the wall.

I can't tell you how choked up I got upon hearing Angel's name read aloud...

Angel is number 299.

For the balloon release, I wrote Angel's name on the balloon, and then the names of those babies whose mommas I somehow know personally, I wrote those on an attached card.

There's just something so emotional about a balloon release to honor those lost to us. When I let go of Angel's balloon and watched it fly away, a flood of emotions overwhelmed me. I couldn't help but shed tears as I thought of the day she "flew" from me and into the arms of my Heavenly Father.  And as I watched her balloon go up amidst the others released that day, I thanked God for the short time I had with her and felt assured I would be with her again one day.  

A priceless moment I will always treasure in my heart.

Pregnancy and infant loss awareness is an important cause!  Across the developed world, the statistics are startling:

• An estimated 500,000 miscarriages happen each year
• 1 in every 148 babies are stillborn
• 3 in every 1000 babies die shortly after birth

And behind each of these losses is a hurting mom. A grieving father.  Heartbroken siblings and extended family members.  What do you do when someone you know has lost a baby? I wrote a post about that not too long ago, but let me encourage you to consider supporting organizations like Footprints on the Heart.  They can help answer that question of how to respond when someone you know experiences a loss, and if you are the one who has endured a loss, they can help you grieve and remember that precious baby.  

Today's forget-me-not: our babies lost too soon