31 Days of Hope...Day 2

Today we will look at The Hope of Two. There are three scriptures I want to focus on;

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But, woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three have gathered, together in My name, there I am in their midst.

Matthew 19:5  "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother and shall cleave to his wife: and the two shall become one flesh"

Each of these scriptures offer hope:

In Ecclesiastes we see hope in friendship and the purpose of fellowship.

In Matthew 18 we see there is hope in prayer. Of course, we know God hears our prayers if we are alone, however, this verse reminds us again, of the purpose of other's being involved in our life. We were not created to be "loners". We need each other.

Matthew 19 tells us of the hope and beauty of marriage. God wants us to enjoy the companionship and commitment of marriage. We are expected to leave our parents and become one with our spouse. The marriage commitment is deeper than any relationship mentioned in the Bible outside of the relationship God desires to have with us.

Be encouraged today and find hope in your friendships, prayers, and marriage!

From time to time I will include some of your comments/answers that you sent to me regarding the questions I asked about hope.

* David M- tells us 1 Peter 3:15 is a verse that reminds him of HOPE- David has an incredible story of hope and redemption http://thefatherslovebook.com


(Don't forget to stop by the other 31 Days blogs- see their links on the right side and be encouraged today!)

31 Days of Hope...Day 1

Welcome to our first day together as we journey towards HOPE for 31 Days.

My heart is full of anticipation and hope as I begin this blogging challenge. I have never participated in anything like this before. I have always preferred not being tide down to a specific day or time frame to write blogs.  I am an relational writer and relational writers have to relate or experience something in order to write. I instantly develop writers block when I consider writing a piece of fiction or on a topic I am not passionate about.

I attend a Writers Group that meets twice a month.  One week is critic and the other is creative writing.  Whenever we have a creative writing exercise that has to do with fiction or we are given a topic that I can not relate to, I struggle through it.  I feel as if I have grown in this area however, I don't enjoy it and for that simple reason, I am looking at this opportunity to stretch and grow in my writing.  I have also looked at this month as a "fast" of sorts. My hearts desire is to drawer nearer to the Lord and connect more with those who are reading this blog...now onto HOPE!

As I was praying about 31 Days of Hope, I was reminded once again, that God always has a purpose and a plan.  God is intentional in every detail.  Today, July 1st marks our first day into 31 days.  Today is also the day I am speaking at Lighthouse Church, in Farmington, New Mexico.  For the past five years my family has been invited to Farmington, my husband helps an affiliate radio station (KPCL Passion Radio) with  a fundraiser for Passion Play International Ministries. Last year when we came, I was honored and blessed to speak at three churches.  This year, we were a little late in organizing our details, so it looked as if I wouldn't have a speaking opportunity. Through a series of conversations and God ordained details, I spoke with David Velasquez, who connected me to Pastor John Shrock of Lighthouse Church. Lighthouse Church is a Messianic Jewish church.  If I had spoken at Lighthouse last year, I would have enjoyed it and appreciated the experience.  For those who may not know; I am going to Israel in the fall.  In light of my involvement with a Biblical Study Program that culminates with two weeks in Israel, it is more than I could have hoped for to have this opportunity today, especially on this first day of Hope!

If you are feeling hopeless about something in your life today, please let me encourage you, God has not forgotten you.  God always has a purpose and a plan.  God is always intentional. God is our HOPE and we have not been forgotten!

"Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands" Isaiah 49:16a

Here is a song to keep on your mind all day...There is HOPE and you are not forgotten!

I am Not Forgotten (video and lyrics)

31 Days of Hope, Victory, Freedom, Purpose, Love, and Wellness

 I would like to challenge you for the next 31 Days to commit to reading our blogs....I believe the saying "garbage in...garbage out" is true, what we choose to focus on, listen, read, and watch goes into our minds and hearts. This is an opportunity to fill our minds and hearts with hope, victory, freedom, purpose, love, and wellness!

God is VERY intentional. God has a plan and purpose for each of us during the next 31 Days!

Please join us!

31 Days of Hope- Sheryl Griffin at A Scarlet Cord of Hope:: http://www.sherylgriffin.com/

31 Days of Victory- Monique Zackery at Finding Me in You:: http://www.moniquezackery.blogspot.com/

31 Days of Freedom- Jennifer Lain at Parent Passion:: http://www.parentpassion.com/

31 Days of Purpose- Carla Hendricks at Sojourner of Truth:: http://www.sojourneroftruth.com/

31 Days of Love- Beckah Shae at http://www.beckashae.com/

31 Days of Wellness: Mind, Body & Spirit- Michelle Discavage at http://www.chelled.blogspot.com/

31 Days of Hope....Questions For You

In preparation for our 31 Days...of HOPE I would like to involve YOU and ask a few questions. Don't feel obligated to answer every question (unless, of course, you want to). You can post them here or email me directly Sheryl@SherylGriffin.com. Share as much or as little as you would like. Please let me know if its OK to share your first name or if you prefer to be anonymous (in the event that I comment on your answer or question on a blog).

1.  What does HOPE mean to you?

2. Is there an area in your life that you need HOPE?

3. How do you share HOPE with others?

4. Is there a verse or a song that reminds you of HOPE?

5. Is there a person or story in the Bible that exemplifies HOPE to you?

6. Is there a time in your life that you felt hopeless?

7. Actions speak louder than words...how do you *see* HOPE in action

8. Using the five Love Languages: words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, acts of service, and gifts...how would you show HOPE to someone (if you know your main love language-how would you like someone to speak HOPE to you)?

9. Do you believe there is always HOPE? (why or why not)

10. Is there a topic within HOPE that you would like to be encouraged or inspired by on this blog within the next 31 Days?

I am excited to see all that God has in store for this event!  I look forward to hearing from you and I encourage you to check in with the other blogs and be encouraged and inspired by them as well, within the next 31 Days!

31 Days of Hope

I will post a blog on the topic of HOPE for 31 days, the entire month of July!  I have joined in this inspirational event with four other women.  We have each picked a topic and we are ready for the challenge!  I hope that you will hold me accountable and read my blogs.  I also encourage you to stop by the other blogs and be encouraged!

I have a feeling God is up to something BIG and I am excited! 

Please check back often and feel free to comment or email!

The other blog links are:

31 Days of Wellness::Mind. Body. Spirit. - Chasing the Divine (Michelle Discavage at www.chelled.blogspot.com)

31 Days of Parent Passion (Jennifer Laine at www.parentpassion.com) 

31 Days of Love (Beckah Shae at www.beckahshae.com)

31 Days of Victory- Finding Me in You (Monique Zackery at www.moniquezackery.blogspot.com)

Unplanned Choices

 
I recently read a book titled, Jessica Lost: A Story of Birth, Adoption & The Meaning of Motherhood . I am always intrigued with memoir's, biography's and autobiography's. I was drawn to the raw emotions the authors, Bunny Crumpacker and J.S. Picariello share about their life and experience within the world of adoption, both from the view point of the mother and the child.

I have friends who have been adopted and know many who have chosen adoption.  I believe every situation is unique and no adoption process is exactly the same.  Similar to giving birth; no two women will have the exact same experience. The main difference in adoption is the intention. You can not have an "oops" baby when you adopt.   

If you have read my book A Scarlet Cord of Hope you know part of my story involves abortion. While abortion wasn't my choice, it was the decision that was made, and I will always have regret, however, I know that I am forgiven and I have finally found a place within my heart to forgive myself as well. 

There was a part in the book when Bunny (the mother) seems to be comparing adoption and abortion and she comments that those who choose abortion do not have the lingering pain and emotions that women who place children up for adoption do.  I realize she is writing from her own personal experience, so she could not possibly understand the guilt, shame, and lingering pain that also stays with the choice of abortion. 

It is only by the grace of God that I am able to share my story and offer the hope that I have found after my abortion.  Any unplanned pregnancy that may result in adoption, abortion, or keeping the baby, has the same ability to create long term effects that linger and may take years to overcome.

Sometimes the decision to keep the baby results in financial struggles, custody battles, and letting go of your dreams. Abortion is a decision that never leaves you free either.  You may not have the due date etched in your mind, you may not know the sex of the baby, however you have enough knowledge to know there is life growing inside you and you never forget that day. While abortion may appear like a "quick fix" and then you move on; let me tell you, it's not that easy. While I can agree with Bunny's emotions that adoption does leave you with potential guilt, shame, and pain, you at least know that your baby is wanted and will be welcomed into a loving home.

It was interesting to read the view point from the birth mother and the child she gave up, and their journey that led them to connect forty two years later.They were able to build a strong healthy relationship as time allowed for healing and closure to their respective emotions and questions. 

If you or someone you know is dealing with an unplanned pregnancy and you would like information or someone to talk to please email me at Sheryl@SherylGriffin.com

There is always HOPE!

Moving Forward Even When It Hurts

How do you move forward when you are finally in a place to pull everything out from under the rug, that you have carefully stuffed there for years, and you want to acknowledge facts and feelings about your life past and present but, one of the main people in your life isn't in the same place.

That is my situation and the other person is my mother. It has been two and half years since I last heard from her.  I knew it would come to this, but it still hurts.  I knew when the Lord led me to publish my book that it would forever change our relationship. I was emotionally healthy and ready but, it doesn't make it any easier.  In order to have a healthy relationship with  my mother, the kind my heart truly and deeply desired, we needed to stop the life long patterns that we were in.  Part of my healing and moving forward meant I needed to boldly tell the truth and move forward, with or without her (emotionally). 

As I prayed for the moment of "truth" between the two of us,  I lifted my head and arms to God in total faith and surrender. I remember thinking, "it's no longer in my control".  And, the fact of the matter is, it never was.  That is what ptsd (post traumatic stress disorder) and panic/ anxiety made me think though.  As if somehow, I held the key to happiness for those I loved the most.  If I can cover up or make their choices or decision "better" simply by not acknowledging them or pretending with them, in the game of if I don't confront you or the situation, maybe it will get better or maybe it will go away.  Even though, it never did, I played this game for most of my life.  Believing the lie it's better not to talk about things that are confrontational or have the ability to upset someone.  There was also the fear that some how it would end up being my fault, and I didn't want to deal with that either. After all, there is a chance something might change on its own.  And sometimes it did, but then it always went back and when it did it came back stronger, louder, and more chaotic than before. 

I have learned since my diagnosis, of ptsd and panic/anxiety in 2007, that I am not responsible for other peoples choices or decisions.  I can not control the situation or the person by loving them, denying the truth, by not confronting, nor by ignoring situations.  It's not that I thought I was powerful or "all that", it was an unhealthy co-dependent balance in my life and mind.

I am clinging to hope, as I continue to move forward, even in the pain.  Hope that someday my mother will hear my heart's cry and we can begin a new relationship.  Hope that she is able to face the things in her life and move forward in a positive way.  Hope that she feels the Lords presence in her life and willingly accepts Him. Hope that she will begin to understand what happened to me and that I am not blaming her (nor anyone else). Hope that she will be able to heal her past wounds and walk in truth and forgiveness.  Hope that she knows I love her.