For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, through perseverance we wait eagerly for it. Roman 8:24-25
I’m going to be very real and honest with you today.
This has been the hardest year of my life. Which is saying a lot, because there have been some doozies.
But even through this hard year, I have hope. Hope for eternity. Hope for the future here on earth as I carry on with my ministry of sharing HIS stories.
My brother and I had a long conversation the other night. One of the things we talked about was the fact that our Dad—who graduated to Heaven this past February—was now experiencing hope fulfilled.
Hope Fulfilled
As a pastor, he understood hope and explained it to others thousands of times in his life. But the last few years Alzheimer’s wreaked havoc on his mind. It was so hard to watch him decline and to see him suffer through the disease. The coolest thing was in those moments of clarity, he still rejoiced and shared about the hope that he had in Jesus.
My sister just lost her father-in-law. Both dads in less than a year. So as a family, we’ve had a lot of discussions the past couple weeks as grief has washed over all of us in tidal waves again.
That’s probably why my brother and I got on the subject the other night. The more we talked, the more hope overwhelmed us. Because the thought of Dad facing no more pain, no more tears, no more temptation, failures, or the constant war with sin made us excited to think of that day coming for us as well.
Beautiful Hope
My Dad spent his life telling others about Jesus and the beautiful hope that we have when we know Him.
Isn’t it a wonderful thought to realize that he is experiencing that glorious hope fulfilled right now? Don’t you look forward to that day? Can you imagine?
My life verses are James 1:2-4. I love the whole passage, but I get exceptionally excited thinking about being mature and complete one day. I eagerly await that day. I hope for that day. And the verses in Romans above show us just like in James 1 that it is perseverance that will see us there.
Dad persevered even through a horrible disease. Can I do as much? I’m challenged to. And I know that with Christ’s strength, I can. Because I have that same hope. I haven’t seen it yet like Dad has, but wow—it’s something beautiful to look forward to.
Until then, I will persevere. I’m going to leave you today with words my Dad said to us kids for decades.
Keep on keepin’ on,
Kimberley
Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than twenty-five books. A lover of history, she’s sucked into the past and her husband lures her out with chocolate and golf. Passionate about in-depth Bible study, she has been a Precept Leader for many years. Married to the love of her life for three decades, she lives and writes in Colorado, where she wears the hat of the “coolest grandma.”
To find out more about Kim’s books, follow her on social media, and sign up for her newsletter/blog, visit her website.
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That’s such a beautiful and heart-wrenching piece, Kimberley. Thank you for sharing it. Much love, and I’m praying for you right now
God Bless
Catherine
Thank you so so much, Catherine. That means a ton. Thank you so much for being here 🙂
I don’t know how I’d manage loss without the hope of heaven.
Amen to that!!!!
I’m so sorry for your loss, Kimberly. And for all of us who have lost dear loved ones over the past year or two. The loss is deep and the pain is real, but hope in Jesus overcomes it all!
Amen. Thanks for stopping by, Deena.
Deena – yes!!! Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts, today.
Grief is no joke, even when we know they’re in heaven. Praying for your holidays to be filled with warm memories. 💙
Couldn’t have put that better myself, Becky. Praying the same for you.
Praying the same for you too! Thank you so much for stopping by!