HOPEful girl

  Write about a time you felt God's presence in a hard season. We moved to Hawaii for a change of scenery.  Well, for lots of reasons,  but it was certainly a difficult time for me and my family.   I was struggling with addiction and my marriage was at the brink of a divorce.   Moving to a new place to make a new home was hard enough without all that baggage, but looking back I believe God used it to heal me and grow our family.   He provided us with a welcoming church family with a strong youth group to establish a foundation for my boys.  In that church he provided me with a small group led by godly women, just the example I needed to show the love of Jesus.  God also brought Celebrate Recovery back with a local group.   God used the nature and beauty of the Hawaiian islands to show me a better life of sobriety was to be lived.   God brought the calming trade winds to remind me that He is with me, even now.    Every rainbow w...

  Write about a lesson life has taught you recently.  As a working mom of three boys, two in college and one teenager in high school I am learning the art of letting go.   I am learning the balance of being a support for them while allowing them to make their own mistakes.   I am learning that God already has a plan for them and that their journey has been set forth already for some time.   I am learning the blessing of what has been to be their parent for this short time and watching them grow into adults.   I am learning there is a season for all things and to pay attention to what role God has for me now. 

  Write a parable-short story with a lesson The parable of the wayward hiker.  There was a group of friends on a quest to see a magical waterfall.  In order to reach this waterfall and capture all the beauty, one had to go early in the morning on the phase of the moon that allowed its light to shine on the waterfall in a way  that made it iridescent and most beautiful.   The group would have to get as close as they could to the waterfall and camp overnight then continue the rest of their journey early in the morning.  They were given 3 sources of  light to help them  navigate the dark forest-  a flashlight, a lighter, and a glowstick.  One friend took the flashlight and lighter but felt like he didn't need the glowstick. He awoke in his tent before anyone else so he took the opportunity hike out on his own so he can be the first one there.  So he started on his own with only his flash light and lighter.  After some time the fla...

  Write about a small act of kindness that made a big difference. I don't  remember exactly what this person did, but all I know is I was feeling so horrible before and encouraged and uplifted after and this good kind neighbor was there before the after.   We were new in the neighborhood.  I just had my second son and started residency and feeling the worst kind of post partum depression.   She had a small boy of her own. She invited me over.  Did we have coffee?  She shared kind words and showed me her collection of Joyce Meyers books.  'You listen to her too?"   Besides from my son's birth day parties, that was the only time I'd seen her.   It was just what I needed when I was in that cloud of sadness.   She offered a patch of blue sky of hope and the reminder that God is with me in this rough season.

  Write about a time you forgave someone or were forgiven.  Forgiveness is a very important step in recovery.  We call it making amends.  I remember reading about this in my Recovery bible that my mom had bought me and came across the verse in Matthew.  Something about removing the plank from one's eye.  I don't know exactly why I didn't go to my brother's wedding.  There were excuses I can go into, but I choose not to.  When I read that verse, I was convicted so I immediately apologized to him and his bride and he forgave me.   Forgiveness is a medicine used to treat broken relationships and that day our relationship was healed. 

  Write a letter to your younger self. Dear younger Janette,  You are striving for many things right now to be a good doctor, mom , wife.  You never feel capable or good enough.    Know that you are already a loved child of God.  Just look to Jesus and His grace will be enough.    Stop reaching for things to fulfill you, like praise from others or alcohol.   You don't need those temporary things and they can never give you true joy, only bringing you misery.  God will work it out for good.  Be kind to your self and to others. and just keep looking to Him.  love,  your older self Janette.