Hope.
It sounds pretty, and it even looks cute when you see it in fancy cursive on home décor.
I admit that the images that usually come to mind are beautiful too: a peaceful sunset, a newly hatched chick under her mother’s wing, a fawn in a dewy field in a serene meadow.
But I’ve learned that “hope” doesn’t always look pretty when you need it the most.
Life is hard. Broken relationships are hard. Separation is hard. Divorce is hard. Loneliness is hard. Death is hard. Raising kids is hard. Raising teens is hard. Finding hope is hard.
Where do you find hope when you feel like you’re drowning?
Like many of you, I’ve been through times and circumstances that I thought would certainly pull me under.
And yet, during one of the hardest times of my life, God gave me a vision of what hope looks like.
I was in the storm. On a ship that was surely going down. It was dark. It was painful. The waves crashed, and the rain was relentless. Pounding. Both the rain and the thunder. The storm clouds were black. The moon only shone enough that I could see its reflection on the massive swells about to crash into my ship.
This is it. This is the end.
But wait…a shift. A presence.
I felt someone gently turn me away from the eye of the storm to look behind me.
A lighthouse. High on the rocks. Pelted by rain. Waves crashing up to its shore. It stood in the darkest night, and yet:
Hope.
Light. Shining into the darkness. It was there for me. Signaling to me. It was there all along, but I was looking the wrong way.
I had to look up from the pain, the hurt, the despair, the confusion, the chaos; and there it was.
It didn’t look the prettiest. The rain was still pounding, thunder still roared, and the darkness still engulfed me.
But God. He was still holding onto me.
Hope isn’t just an idea. It’s not just a pretty word to comfort you. Hope is real, and it’s meant for you.
Ironically, I chose the middle name “Hope” for my daughter 13 years ago. I thought it was those pretty ideas – peaceful, sweet, graceful.
But life has taught me that real hope is so much more than that.
Hope is strong. It shows up in the darkest places.
It’s not the absence of struggle—it’s the presence of God in the middle of it.
It’s available. It’s steady. It’s unfailing.
Hope is His whisper in the storm, saying, “I’ve got you,” even when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.” Romans 15:13
“Where Single Moms Find Hope.” That is our slogan at MOMS Canada. Not because it sounds good, but because it’s true. No matter what storm you’re in or what problem you’re facing, there is hope.
But God. God, the source of hope. The source of light.
As Charles Stanley says, “It’s not easy, but it’s simple.”
Turn around, look away from the chaos, and look towards Him.
I’m still on the journey. The storms still rage. But I’m just grateful that my source of hope has not wavered; I only need to look over my shoulder to see the light.
“Rain came, wind blew, but my house was built on You. I’m safe with You, I’m going to make it through.” (Firm Foundation)
“We who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:18-19
A Prayer for the Single Mom
God of hope,
For the mama in the storm, hold her steady.
Show her the light again.
Whisper to her heart that she’s not alone.
Fill her with peace, even if the rain doesn’t stop.
Anchor her soul in Your love, and remind her that You are near.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
