life

Carry The Hope

Posted on by Denise Harper

A friend of mine wrote a book about her journey to find healing for her mind and heart. She invited her Christian counselor to co-write it with her to add balance and background and it’s a hard yet beautiful telling of determination and perseverance. In the very first chapter I was moved by something they shared from their initial conversation. First, that TIME does NOT heal all wounds; and, when the counselor asked my friend if she had hope that things could be better my friend admitted that she didn’t know. What came next was such a simple request. The counselor said, ‘then let me carry the Hope for you through your hopelessness’.

She went on to say that having someone we can speak our hard stuff to, that we trust, and having that person walk alongside and carry your Hope til you can carry it again yourself, is so important to have in our lives. Whether it’s a trusted personal friend or an experienced professional it is good to have someone who will listen, encourage and genuinely wants the best for you to help you walk through the hard stuff.

When I’ve needed a confidante I have prayed and asked God for wisdom and direction and He has answered my prayer each time. He knows that sometimes we need someone to be Jesus with skin on to help us navigate some tricky terrain. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) delivers wise counsel. “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

Inviting the Lord into the mix will make all the difference. He is that third strand. If you’re struggling to hope again asking God to reveal someone who can help you carry the Hope until you can walk in it again is a good first step in the right direction…toward healing and wholeness.

Stories From The Chaise

Posted on by Denise Harper

I loved to play in my grandmother’s basement when I was a kid. She had all sorts of interesting things including a few antique furniture pieces that I loved to pretend were my formal sitting area. That was my first encounter with a chaise lounge… and I loved it. So years later when I was looking for a chair to create my personal Bible study and prayer space in our new home it was no surprise that when I happened upon a cozy chenille overstuffed chaise lounge… I bought it!

Oh, the journeys we’ve experienced together that chaise and I! Not only was it my spot for quiet times, but many phone conversations with friends were had as I got comfortable and curled up in it. I have laughed and I have cried in that chair. There were prayers of desperation and anguish while tucked away in it. Likewise, many prayers of thanksgiving and praise were whispered toward the heavens from it.

When we downsized and moved into a much smaller space a few years ago we had to part with many things but that well-loved old friend, my chaise lounge, which is almost twenty years old now, is still with me. The arm has lost its padding. The chenille is worn in a few places… but it’s still my favorite place to sit. It is a tangible reminder of God’s presence and His faithfulness in my life.

Now that I have a granddaughter, she and I love to sit in that chair together. And I am reminded of the instruction God gave us in Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NCV). “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up.” Macey and I have the most wonderful conversations about all kinds of things… especially about God… right from that chaise lounge.