Part 1: The Ending Will Be Good
Eight years ago a friend spoke words over me that I hope I never forget.
“Brooke, God is writing a story with your life. I don’t know how the story is going to end, but it’s going to be good”.
Moments earlier, through tears, I had shared with a group of friends about our long struggle to conceive. Medically, our options were limited. We weren’t guaranteed I’d ever get pregnant, but that day my friend’s words infused hope into my soul. I was reminded that even though my story was unfinished, I could be certain that the ending would be good.
Today, eight years later, I write from a Starbucks in Houston. The biggest chunk of my heart is in Columbia SC -1,065 miles away (to be exact). It feels weird to walk around with most of my heart missing.
I have Stage IV breast cancer. I’m being treated by the world’s best cancer team at MD Anderson Cancer Center, half a country away from my husband and children. All of the normal bits of life are moving along without me: last minute summer reading, filling the final hot summer days, and target runs for school supplies. Soon my kindergartner and second graders will walk into a new school-year without the comfort of Mommy’s embrace. No doubt, this is hard.
I’m at MD Anderson because they give me medical hope that few other places in the world can provide. Even at one of the highest rated cancer centers in the world, they cannot guarantee that the cancer will be gone forever. Even though my story is unfinished, I can be certain that the ending will be good.
What is Biblical Hope?
Biblical hope is not wishing for our circumstances to improve (“I hope the treatments work”). Our hope cannot be in the happy ending we desire. (“I hope I’ll have a baby one day”). This is earthly hope which is flimsy and wrapped in uncertainty.
Biblical hope is vastly different.
Biblical hope is hope not in the harvest of our desires, but in the Healer of our yearning heart.
Biblical hope is having a confident expectation that God will turn the ashes of your life to beauty. (Isaiah 61:3)
My definition of hope: the certainty of God’s future goodness and grace.
Join me for a Five Part Blog Series
Over the next few weeks I will be writing a series on “Finding Hope When Your Story is Unfinished.” Hope is a topic that is warm and fuzzy, but can be difficult to wrap our arms around.
Consider this blog series a vessel of hope to the suffering sister. My prayer is that these words will feel less like blog posts, and more like a good friend on the journey. There is so much pain, so much hurt, but so much beauty. I am spurred on by your emails and facebook messages and instagram comments. We all need hope, and I see a crisis of hope in our generation.
I long to sit across the table from you and hear your story, and look to the Lord together. Outside of the minstry to my family, this is the greatest passion of my life: extending the hope of Christ to weary women. So, ladies (and maybe a fellow or two)- let’s pretend we’re at Starbucks across the table, sharing our stories, looking to Jesus and cheering one another on as we seek Him together.
Together we will unpack:
-What it means to fight for hope, and why is it such a fight?
-Why Scripture is essential in our search for hope, and practical ways to dive into God’s Word when you don’t know where to start
-The importance of prayer, and some ideas when you feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling
-The purpose of community in finding hope
-Practical ways God has helped me find hope in the thick of the suffering
Is there something in your life right now which feels hopeless, and the story is unfinished? Perhaps you’re single and you don’t want to be. Maybe your child is wayward, a chronic illness plagues your body, or an empty womb breaks your heart. Is it a broken marriage or financial distress? Join me for the next few weeks as we together find hope when our stories are unfinished.
“Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” Psalm 33:22
Looking forward to these
You are not only a Christian with remarkable faith, but also a gifted writer. I love you
Prayers continue
Love you Brooke!
Thank you for your faithfulness to our Lord. I look forward to this study with you.
Clinton SC
Hello Brooke! My name is Margaret Powell and I go to FBC in Fountain Inn SC. I look forward to Mary Boswell speaking at our WM dinner in the fall.
Your story gripped my heart…as I have a young woman friend now who just finished her first chemo yesterday for stage 2. She is a vital part of our church family. I am taken back at the number of women fighting this disease. Just know that I am personally praying for you daily and I so appreciate your sharing your story of hope. I intend to share it on our WM FB page. You are already a huge blessing…keep focused on our Father.
Brooke,
I am thrilled to come along side you as we learn how to have Hope when our stories are unfinished. You have a great gift with your words, your spirit is truly led by God and Spirit filled.
So – yes – lets have that cup of coffee together as we unpack the greatness of God’s hope which we can have through His precious blood and sacrifice!
You are an inspiration Brooke and your story is far from finished! Thank you thank you. Praying for you daily as you continue to bring hope to others as you fight your own battle.
A friend and I are reading through a book titled The Promised One by Nancy Guthrie – the chapter we just finished was on Joseph. It was packed full of things to ponder over but if I could try to sum the biggest truth learned from Joseph’s life it would be this: Suffering is not wasted. Our sovereign God uses suffering to bring about fruits in our lives as well as others. We, believers, are the fruit of Christ’s suffering. I am thankful my friend found your blog and sent it to me. I would enjoy sitting across the table with you and talking about God’s precious word. May we both be encouraged as we dig in. Thanks for putting your heart out there.
Brook, this is Brantley’s mom, Wanda. Words cannot express the hope I feel for you and your family right now. This was the most beautiful written outpouring of a young woman’s heart that I have ever read. I am excited to follow along with you and watch what God is doing with you and thru you. So many difficult days ahead but God has you where he needs you. Until next time….and continued prayers for you and your ministry. God is gona show out with you! I just feel it!
Sweet Brooke, your words touched my soul this morning. I am struggling with so many heartbreaks right now-nothing compared to your journey. But, I find myself so tired of it all, so bitter. But, I will be following this and clinging to the TRUTH. Thanks Brooke. Love you dearly. Dawn
God is using your story for his glory. Thanks for your honesty and transparentcy.
Thanking God for you, your family and the work of His hands in you.
This sounds wonderful and with many challenges in my life at this time, it is just what I need!
Mentally, I know what you are saying about HOPE, Brooke. With my current circumstances, I need to infuse it into my very being. Thank you for taking your circumstances to bring light and HOPE to others. Praise be to God, for that is what you do through your wonderful, enlightening, personal blogs. Sending love and a hug. Susan “Victorious”
Brookes, Fran told me about what you are doing as far as writing this series, and thank you for showing your strength. My prayers are with you and I’ll be following you along the way.
Karen
What hope you give us all through Jesus..our savior.hugs vivien ottney
Love you and reading and following
Excited to follow along with you in this journey. What an inspiration you are!