hope Archives - Page 8 of 14 - Turning the Page on Suicide

Posts Tagged: hope

Seeing Through the Pain: Message of Hope

Posted January 20, 2018 | Karisa Moore

Luke 12:22Â Then Jesus said to his disciples:Â â€œTherefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.Â 23Â For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.Â 24Â Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!Â 25Â Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?Â 26Â Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Dear Page Turners,

A little goldfinch visited today. I am quite sure she was at my window a year ago, her strange behavior the same. She is more interested in what is going on inside our house than anything outside. She sits, looking directly at me, tilting her head. Then she lands on the sill to get a closer look. Neither the barking dog, nor the kids frighten her away.

She is a love note from God. Love notes are moments when God does something that wows me! Iâ€™ve received many of them throughout the years, but this was extra special because it reached through the haze I walk through these days and stirred my heart. My problems are deep and many layered, but God’s is faithful.

She sat there looking at and declaring with every little twitch of her head. â€œHe loves you, he values you, and he is providing for you.” She spent about an hour with me her last visit, but I easily dismissed the visit as a passing “interesting” moment until she returned today.

How quickly I can forget He loves me, when the mess of the years problems seem insurmountable. Having her suddenly appear as I walked into the office took my breath away. God knew I needed to be reminded of hope. He knew that I was struggling in my exhaustion to even look for his many provisions for my family. So he made his promise clear through my little feathered example.

Are you soured by circumstances? Cynical about the knowledge that God is good, because all you see and feel is bad? Frantically scrambling to fix whatever is wrong in your life? Come to the window with me. Look at a little bird whose only thought today was to serve her master in a big way.

May I be that little bird for you. Tapping on your heart to remind you that God sees and values you, and he is very much in the midst of your loneliness, your despair, and your prayers!

Love,

Karisa

Dancing the Sanguine Blues

Posted October 31, 2017 | Karisa Moore

Forecast called for blistering blues . . .

Shame soaked in a raging torrent of emotions,

I put on defiant dancing shoes and

shaped prolific pools of hopelessness into

a halo of dancing rainbows.

Until bones broke to life and support the

impossible flesh of my reality.

Writing Prompt: Downcast or Upcast

Posted | Karisa Moore

Psalm 43:5Â WhyÂ are you in despair,Â O my soul?Â And whyÂ are you disturbedÂ withinÂ me? HopeÂ in God,Â for I shall againÂ praiseÂ Him, The helpÂ of my countenanceÂ and my God.

Seems like there are an awful lot of words to describe depressed, but not a lot to describe the opposite . . .what is the opposite of depressed? Come up with words that reflect an “upcast” attitude and create a poem. Attach your page link in the comments and let’s cast a brighter light on depression.

Writing Prompt: Downcast or Upcast

Climbing Suicide’s Crag

Posted October 28, 2017 | Karisa Moore

Rocks crumble encouraging

gravity to finish thought.

But truth, confident with gritty fingers,

belays novice climbers

Reaching for impossible sunrises.

When Trauma Has You Frozen, Pray

Posted July 10, 2017 | Karisa Moore

Romans 8:15Â For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

I do not grieve like someone who is a slave to my son’s death. Sometimes, just like the Romans, I need a reminder that I can cry out to my daddy when fear is attempting to chain me again.

Yesterday I met a friend to study scripture and pray together. I made it through all the markers of Jonathan’s death and did not break down. But grief is not dictated by routine or schedule.

As I walked into the restaurant two police officers were waiting in line to place their order. I have yet to overcome a visceral response to police officers, since it was a sheriff who had to deliver the news that my son was dead. Every encounter since has been sweaty palms, shaking, and near breakdown.

I want to overcome this reaction, but am not sure how. My friend, aware of my struggle asked if I was okay when I came to the table. I struggled to not completely melt into tears. She assured me, it is okay if I cry, each moment is valuable, even the hard ones. We began catching up, but the officers sat only a few booths away and I was barely holding it together.

Finally I asked, “Can you do me a favor? . . . Oh, never mind.”

But my friend wisely didn’t leave it at that. “You want me to ask them if there is anything we can pray for them?”

All I could do was nod.

They asked her to pray for their safety, and we did just that. She redirected my overwhelmed feeling into meaningful, and purposeful care for these two men. As a result it also brought peace and calm to my soul.

What are you facing right now that causes an uncontrolled, physical response? It doesn’t make logical sense, but you can’t stop reacting to past trauma. I encourage you, just as my friend took the reigns and led me through the dark moment, to find a purpose in your grief. Begin with prayer. Lift up the person, circumstance, or fear to God who loves you perfectly and can cast out all fear!

Love Always,

Karisa

Prayer:

Just Another Day: Except it Isn’t

Posted July 1, 2017 | Karisa Moore

Scripture:Â Lamentations 3:22Â The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.Â 23Â They are newÂ every morning;Â GreatÂ is Your faithfulness.24“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”â€¦

Thoughts:Â How do you turn the page on the hardest days of your life? In three years I have learned:

Pray
Be with family and friends
Pre-prepare
Hydrate
Laugh
Remember
Praise
Be present in today (pain, tears, joy, love, all is useful to God)
Notice blessings
Encourage others

Prayer:Â Lord, you are faithful in my sorrow today as I turn the page on the tragedy of Jonathan’s death, and another year begins. May others learn, live, love and grow because they see your presence in our lives. I find joy today because you are faithful. Thank you that Brian journeys through grief with me. Â Laughter is not distant because you have given me Daniel and Natalie. Thank you for time with friends this afternoon. I feel pain, but know it does not last. Your love, instead is eternal! Amen

Being with Jesus is the Fountain of Youth

Posted February 10, 2017 | Karisa Moore

Isaiah 41:â€¦30Â Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31Â Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walkÂ and not become weary.

This is the strength I desire Lord! Being with you is the refreshment I need to do your will today. Thank you for being present with me, loving me, disciplining me, giving me hope. You are the reason I turn my page, and you alone turn my sorrow into gladness. Amen