When Life Gets in the Way, Hope Finds a Way

Have you ever had one of those seasons when life seems to throw everything, everywhere all at once? That’s where I’ve found myself lately.

Between family concerns, health challenges affecting loved ones and myself, and a looming deadline to prepare for a class I’m teaching, I’ve been stretched in more directions than I care to count. My apologies, for not keeping up with you.

There are moments I feel overwhelmed. I know God is with me, but that doesn’t mean the challenges are easy. Sometimes it’s hard to see beyond what’s right in front of us.

When my dear friend and critique partner, Desiree, learned what was going on, she generously offered to write this month’s blogs. What a gift! I asked her to share a time when she faced difficulties and how she got through it.

I shared with her my go to verse in these situations is from Romans.

This is my word of the year perseverance. God doesn’t promise us a life without hardship, but even in our struggles, God is at work. And I am so thankful He sends people into our lives to help, like Desiree, to lighten the load.

I’m grateful for her friendship and willingness to share such a personal story. I hope her experience touches your heart and reminds you that even our hardest seasons can lead to unexpected blessings.

Have you ever looked back on a difficult season and realized that, although you wouldn’t have chosen it, God used it to help you grow?

I’d love to hear your story.

And now, please welcome Desiree and her reflection, How Hard Times Changed Me for the Better.

How Hard Times Changed Me for the Better

By Desiree Future

Fall is upon us as the green leaves turn to vibrant browns, gold, and orange. Just like the changing of seasons, things in our lives change as well. This brought me back to a time when I knew I had to make a major shift in my world.

Years ago, winter was fading away, and spring was upon us. Not being a fan of the cold, snowy weather, I welcomed it with open arms. The trees began to show signs of life as they grew green leaves.

The sweet aroma of freshly cut grass tickled my nose daily. Seeing the vibrant flowers pop up all around made me feel a tingle inside. Spring had arrived, and my cold-weather clothing and boots would be packed away.

Hats, coats, scarves, gloves, and boots were stored for next season. My preference is for a coat and hat to be optional as opposed to necessary.  Traveling in snow was not exactly ideal with a young son in tow.

It was around April, and the temperature was a nice sixty-five. This was warm compared to March, when it barely reached fifty. Going about my daily life with less clothing to wear was great.

Then my seasonal allergies decided they wanted to pay me a yearly visit. This was normal for me, but this time something was amiss.

Even with my over-the-counter medication, my symptoms didn’t improve. Home remedies also didn’t work either. Being unemployed and not having health insurance made going to the doctor’s office almost impossible.

Moms don’t take sick days off. Struggling across a busy highway and down five blocks each day, I took him and picked him up from school. That is until my body wouldn’t allow me to get out of bed.

The doctor’s visit was way too expensive for my small state check. It cost an astonishing one hundred dollars for the visit, plus extra for testing and medicines. This young lady was only getting worse, so I borrowed money for this.

To my surprise, my allergies weren’t the culprit; it was bronchitis. Having a diagnosis was great, but paying for the prescription was another hurdle. Tears streamed down my eyes from both the physical and mental pain.

Walking one block home seemed like an eternity after getting tons of meds written on paper. Not knowing how I’d actually be able to get what I so desperately needed was scary.

As parents, we wear so many different hats raising our children. We can’t take care of anyone else if we can’t take care of ourselves.

So there I was, not being able to take care of myself, and it was emotionally draining. Thankfully, my son was covered by health insurance.

After days’ worth of phone calls to various agencies, I received my medication. By then, my small frame was smaller. Bronchitis left me with no appetite at all.

Being sick without health coverage was horrible. Especially while taking care of my young son alone. Thankfully, my neighbors pitched in to take him to school when I simply couldn’t. They even made him food and brought me soup.

Weeks later, when this woman was feeling much better, finding employment was on my list. Not just any job, but something that would take care of my son and me. Yes, the money would be great, but being able to see a doctor when needed would be better.

I’ve been at my current job for eighteen and a half years now. In less than seven years, I’ll be retiring from the job that gave me stability.

This event happened over twenty years ago, and I’ll never forget that feeling of despair. By the grace of God, my family and friends were there to help. My bank account may have had less than two hundred dollars, but my faith paid the bills.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1 KJV

Desiree Future is the author of The Pastor’s Heart and It’s a New Season. She’s also a Self-improvement blogger who splits her time between writing encouraging articles and working on her next novel. https://desireefuture.com/