May is my mom’s month. Mother’s Day just passed and this coming Friday will be her 80th birthday. She will be celebrating her birthday again this year with my dad and Jesus. I miss her more than words can say.

She so courageously fought her battle with cancer—first breast cancer and then colon cancer. She won it when she went to be with the Lord and was healed in His presence nine years ago. Watching her battle, I learned how clinging to hope can get you through anything.

At times she would get down. I would call her and she would tell me she had not been out of the house. This was so not like her because she loved working in the yard more than eating.

We would go for her next oncologist’s visit, and he would give her just the slightest bit of encouragement, some hope she could cling to. The next day she would be back outside working in her flowers and singing again. She would find her hope.

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” And that is just what Mom would do, try one more time. She did that for three long years. She held on to hope.

Mom had great faith in God and that was her real hope. She had hope that no matter what happened, He would work out His purpose in her life, and that she would live forever with Him in Heaven. He did and now she does.

God’s Word gives us the key for surviving the trials in our lives. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12. My mom did all three. She knew the secret.

Learning this helped me survive my own cancer battles after she died. Albert Einstein once said, “Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow.”

Hope in Christ is all that we have. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf …  Hebrews 6:19-20

At the end of the day, all we need are hope and strength. Hope that it will get better, and strength to hold on until it does.  Where there is hope, there is faith. Where there is faith, miracles happen.  Hope, strength, faith and miracles all come from the Lord. We have to trust Him. We do all we can, and give the rest to Him. When hope is all you have, He is always enough.

Dear Lord: Thank You that hope for whatever we face in this life can be found in You. Give us the courage to let go of burdens that are too heavy for us to bear. We don’t even have to try to carry them, because You are always there waiting to help us. Give us the faith to never stop believing that miracles are possible with You. You can and You do perform miracles. I lift up the needs of those who are reading this blog today. Please give them a double portion of Your grace and love today. Amen

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ, the solid rock, I stand; all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand. (Edward Mote, 1837)

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.  Psalm 94:19

But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. Hosea 12:6

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7

Are you struggling today, looking for just a single ray of hope? Look to Jesus. He can bring you the peace that passes all understanding, the strength to carry on, the comfort to endure no matter what, and the blessed hope of eternal life.  Whatever it is, it is not too big or hard for Him. Won’t you dare to hope in Him today?

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. Please share your comments, experiences, and thoughts. May God give you the strength to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer no matter what comes your way in life.