Helping Moms Rejoice in Hope

Earlier this year over the summer, I sat on my patio with iced coffee and brainstormed ideas for this blog. If you’ve been following along for awhile, you know that my blogging has been minimal in recent years. Between mama responsibilities, homeschooling, trials, sorting through technical challenges, and on and on—I lost my momentum with writing. And for a writer, that can be an unrestful place to camp.

While I wondered if it would be better to close down this blog, the Lord directed me elsewhere. As I jotted down ideas for a more defined blog focus, with the sun beaming down, a glimmer of excitement brightened my soul. I was excited to write again. To share again. To do what I started doing over a decade ago as a new mom.

Summer break came to a close with the goal of putting my blogging ideas into action once we got settled with our homeschool routine. And then all my plans unraveled after we finished our first week of homeschooling.

Instead of teaching my children and finding a school rhythm, I found myself in the emergency room with severe abdominal pain—my third episode spanned over four years. When all was said and done, I went under anesthesia three times within a month for gallbladder surgery and two related procedures. The physical and mental toil weighed heavy, but Lord in His lovingkindness reminded me that He was with me. That this wasn’t a surprise to Him. And that, yes—even this trial had a good purpose in the completed canvas only He sees.

Early one morning while I was in the hospital recovering from surgery, the glory of the morning sunrise dazzled my window. Barely able to walk, the pain my constant shadow, I mustered up the strength to make my way to the window for a closer view. As the bright sun peeked over the horizon, I remembered that beauty will rise. And I also knew that it would be at least two months before I’d be able to run again at sunrise like I normally look forward to on Fridays.

Amongst an undesirable reality, hope remained alive in me. A hope that knows that trials aren’t defeat, that from ashes beauty will rise, and that one day I shall dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

Romans 12:12 says:

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

This is the verse I came to this summer as I was reflecting upon what I want the content of this blog to reflect. The idea of hope is something I’ve pondered often in recent years and also written about. But I started to ponder what it means to rejoice in hope. And even more—what does it look like as a mom to rejoice in hope?

While this verse wasn’t written specifically for moms, it is fitting to motherhood.

I believe we can rejoice in the hope we have in Jesus through all seasons of motherhood. While I’m guilty of sometimes putting my hope in fading things, it’s the hope I have in Christ that has survived even the darkest storms.

Jesus is our Hope because of what He has done for us in the past, how He is with us in the present, and the glorious wonder of what He is preparing for us in the future.

When we keep our gaze on Him, we can rejoice in hope, even when we’re sleep deprived from being up with a sick child or we’re weary from all the responsibilities piled high—or we find ourselves in the emergency room unable to care for our children. We can also rejoice knowing the repetitive tasks of motherhood have purpose and don’t go unnoticed by Him. Whether it’s preparing a meal or creating a peaceful atmosphere in the home, when we serve our families we serve Jesus.

Rejoicing may not always appear as an outward smile, but may look like an inward peace that comes from knowing Jesus is with us and working all things together for good—ultimately preparing a beautiful future for all who place their hope in Him.

So…

My prayer for this spot is that you would be nourished with truth that points you to the hope found in Christ, and that you would be inspired to live as a woman who rejoices in this beautiful HOPE. You’ll find a variety of motherhood encouragement, biblical truth, homeschooling tips, homemaking inspiration, and more—many of the topics I’ve been writing on, but some I plan to focus on a little more.

While our school year started out with an unexpected storm, the Lord always makes a way. I’m grateful for family that stepped in to support us, for His healing over my body, and that we’ve finally gotten into a school rhythm.

I don’t know how often I will be posting, but I look forward to sharing here again.

Rejoicing in Hope,

Hannah