Hope can be defined as: "A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen."
Hope is the driving force that propels us forward, when all we want to do is wave our white flag and quit. Feelings of hope can anchor us to resiliency and strength. Without hope, we lose our feelings of purpose, meaning, and intentionality.
While life with Peyton has been immensely rewarding, it also comes with overwhelming feelings of challenge and exhaustion. Some days, I find myself feeling discouraged that things for Peyton are that much harder; that she has had to suffer more than someone else may suffer in their entire lifetime. This is where my hope has given me much needed perspective on the situation.
God doesn't promise us an easy life. He doesn't promise that we won't suffer, that we won't face hardships... But He DOES promise eternal peace, love, and life because of faith in Christ and what He did for us on the Cross. Our God is not a liar and He doesn't make promises lightly. Because of these truths, I know these promises will come to pass. God tells us that our lives are not here. Earth is our temporary residency until we are called home. In our forever home, we are not broken, not in misery, not lacking anything. We are overflowing with "wholeness."
When I start to feel myself losing steam, I lean on God's promises. I KNOW one day Peyton will run up to me, huge smile on her face, singing songs of joy. She will be completely void of limitations, pain or struggle. Because of this truth, I have the encouragement and strength to press on.
"Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well, with my soul"
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
You can follow Jessica Farley's blog, whose mission is to raise awareness and seek to grow love, understanding, and acceptance for a rare syndrome (Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome) on Facebook: Journey With Me, Peyton Lea on Facebook.
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