Gò0dNews for Parents
There Is Hope
T
by Ashley McPhearson
wo years ago, I was going through a divorce, my
I started smiling and replied, “Okay.”
hours were being decreased at all three of my jobs,
Ten minutes later, the phone rings. That phone call
and I was debating on staying in Chattanooga. I
led to one year of dating, and now we are engaged to
started drinking every day before and after work—shutting
be married. Of course, with trials and tribulations. But
everyone and anything out. Drinking liquor made all of the
nevertheless, everything I have prayed for when it comes to
painful, disheartened, forsaken, and fearful feelings of the
a significant other was answered.
unknown go away for the moment. When I would be sober, my mind would just race of the “what if”—thoughts that I
We all have days that are more stressful than others. There are a few things we must remember: Jeremiah 3:14
was not good enough surrounded me. I began to question if there really was true love, if someone could love me despite my abilities. Three days. The bills, my children’s wants and needs, and grocery shopping would not allow my heart’s desire at that time. The first two days were the worst, but the third day was the first of a new beginning. On that third day, I was reminded of Jesus’s words while He was nailed to the cross. “Abba Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). Jesus was facing the worst moment of His life, but also the best. Even though we have days, months, and sometimes years when we will feel neglected, it is important that we learn and live—to the best of
says, “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord, for
our ability—the example Christ had set for us. In the darkest
I am married unto you; and I will take you, one from a
hour of Christ’s life, he cried out to the Father for strength.
city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion”
“Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
and 1 Corinthians 10:13 states, “There hath no temptation
That was my prayer and cry among other words. Three
taken hold of you but such as is common to man. But God
weeks later, I started to see and feel joy, love, and happiness.
is faithful; he will not suffer you to be tempted beyond
“And we know that all things work together for the good
that which ye are able to bear, but with the temptation
to them that love God and are called according to His
will also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to
purpose” (Romans 8:28).
bear it.” Once we truly learn to let go and trust in the Lord
One day, I entered my patient’s home like any other day. To my surprise, he was sitting at his desk with the
wholeheartedly, we will always see the blessing in the midst of the trials and tribulations.
is about to call. I told him about you and I think you two would be good together.”
24 // September 2021
About The Author
phone in his hands. He told me, “Ashley, my young brother Ashley McPhearson and her family have been in Cleveland for three years since moving from Chicago. She writes stories, plays, and blogs about Jesus Christ.
