Blind Hope

Dogs were my best friends when I grew up on a farm.  They loved me unconditionally and always seemed to know what I was feeling.

I still hold a special place in my heart for dogs.  When I recently found out about a book called Blind Hope: An Unwanted Dog and the Woman She Rescued by Kim Meeder and Laurie Sacher, I knew I needed to read that book!  I was able to get it through library loan, and I was even more fascinated by it than I thought I'd be.

This book is an inspiring true story wherein Laurie learned deep spiritual lessons of true acceptance, unconditional trust, and authentic love from her ailing and blind Mia.

I'd like to share an episode from the book of when Laurie and Mia took a walk.  Mia would be fine as long as she listened and stayed near to Laurie's footsteps, but sometimes Mia diverted to another path.  Once Mia realized Laurie was no longer next to her, she became hysterical and ran in circles.  Laurie's calm voice was not enough to soothe her.  Laurie needed to bend down and hold her in her arms as she whispered, "You're safe, my sweet girl.  It's okay."

Once at the height of frustration, Laurie wanted to shout, "How many times are you going to move away from me and then freak out because you think I have left you?  How many times will I have to walk back and scoop you up before you simply learn to walk with me?"  Then the truth pierced Laurie's heart - "God has been asking me those same questions!"

Isn't that exactly how it is in our lives?  We want to follow Jesus, but we often get sidetracked into our own way.  When we realize we have lost the presence of our Master, we become frantic.  We need Him so much!  Even though we can't see Him, we need to keep following His footsteps.  Above all, we need to trust the Master is there for us even when we can't see Him or feel Him.



Kim Meeder owns the Crystal Peak Youth Ranch, a place of hope for abused horses and children. Laurie Sacher is one of the staff there.  You can find a video of the book HERE.

Can We Give Up All for Jesus?

Last week I heard in a song, "I would give everything for You."  At least that's what I think I heard, but I can't seem to find the song.  Anyway, it really got me to thinking.

Am I willing to give up everything for Jesus?  No matter what the cost?  Am I willing to follow Jesus with my WHOLE heart - with body, mind, and soul?  Or is it just in words?  If it comes to the real test, would I deny Jesus just to keep what I have or to keep from being persecuted?

I'm afraid.  I don't trust myself.  In my self-centeredness, I often choose myself above Jesus.  I pray that God will give me a Christ-centered heart, that I will focus on Him and follow Him no matter what.  I pray that God will give me the strength to live and to write more earnestly for Jesus, not worrying about someone being upset with me or not agreeing with me. 

It's only through Jesus alone that I can give up everything.  Jesus Who HAS given up everything for me, even His own life!  Through His sacrifice I hope I may learn more and more to truly give up my entire being and all that I have for Him.

I have not yet figured out what song I heard, but in the process of searching I found Love Song by Third Day. 


Love Song - Third Day from Kevin Porter on Vimeo.

Hang On!

Do you see this woman desperately hanging on?  Fingers slipping... Body so weary and worn... What invisible force gives her the strength to cling on?

There are times we may feel like we can't hang on anymore in life's storms.  We may think:  Nobody can be going through what I'm going through...  Nobody can be feeling the way I do...  My pain is so deep!  No one cares.  No one understands.

I have learned there is ONE Who does know every single thing we go through - every hurt, every tear, every black despair that envelops us.  Jesus feels our pain and cries with us.  He has suffered more than all of us put together.  Yes, He cares.  Yes, He understands.  Yes, He deeply empathizes with us.

God has brought me through a dysfunctional childhood and sexual, spiritual, and emotional abuse from a minister.  Jesus washes my wounds again and again.  He gives me the strength to hang onto Him as my only HOPE.  Layer by layer He heals me, and one day I will be perfectly healed when He takes me to Himself where there is no more sin or suffering.

I also struggle with a chronic lung disease - chronic bronchitis, asthma, and bronchiectasis. It can be so overwhelming at times, and I get so weary, but I will hang onto my only HOPE, my Jesus Who has a reason for this, too.

Am I always upbeat and positive?  No, there are days when my body and soul are battered by life's storms and I don't think I can cling on any longer.  But through Jesus, my HOPE, there are some days where I do more than survive.  I can dance victoriously, thankful for all the many blessings I have.  And someday I will be a victory dancer forever with Jesus!

"Jesus, give us strength day by day to hang on to YOU! When we are weary, please carry us. When we are hurting, please hug us to Yourself and comfort us. We need you, Jesus! Without YOU, we will perish in the storms of life. Thank You, Jesus, for Your undying empathy and Your unfailing love!"

During what time in your life did you feel you couldn't hang on any longer? 

What gave you hope?

Words Can Hurt

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me!" As kids we often chanted this whenever someone called us a name. Is it true? No way!

Words can cut us deeply and can stick in our hearts and minds like stuck records throughout our lives. They can even hide in a corner of our minds and affect us in ways we don't even realize. And at times when we feel insecure or are faced with great challenges, those words can lift their ugly heads and discourage us.

"You're not good enough... You're dumb... You're worthless..." Words that make us feel like we'll never amount to much. Words that strip us of our self-worth and prevent us from fulfilling our God-given potential. Constant drips that wear away our courage to do things we really CAN do.

I'm so sorry if you have been hurt by words. It can be tough to shut off that persistent negative voice, but we can do it through Jesus. Jesus says we are precious in His sight.  Because of what He has done for us, we are beautiful. Because of Jesus, we can toss out those negative thoughts and fill them with positive ones. We can do ALL things in Christ Jesus!

Cute Colors