Glimmers of Hope Amidst Darkness

Life

Oct 26

Date

10.26.23

time

10:00 AM

Place

A friend’s home office

REDEMPTION.

Hi gals, Candace here. This week, I wanted to share with you a piece written by a friend of mine. She’s shared her story with me over the years, and I love the way God has shown up for her. I do want to mention that this post contains sensitive subject matter, so be gentle with yourself as you choose whether or not you want to read.

Life often takes us on unexpected journeys, through highs and lows, joy and sorrow. Sometimes, our paths lead us to places we never thought we'd go, experiencing traumas we could never have anticipated. In these darkest moments, it's easy to lose hope and even to feel abandoned. But rather than focusing on the darkness, I want to share about how a glimmer of hope can emerge. When Candace asked me to share my experience during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I knew I wanted to focus on the way that God redeemed a traumatic experience in my life, using the power of faith and the love of an unborn child to guide me through the storm.

Several years ago, I found myself in the midst of a storm, a tempest that threatened to shatter my spirit and drown me in despair. And to be honest, for a season, it did. I allowed the grief of my experience to consume me and keep me from seeing the way God held me through it all. It's a chapter of my life that I find challenging to speak about, but I believe that sharing it now can offer hope and encouragement to others facing their own trials. During the darkest hours of my ordeal, I found solace in imagining someone I hadn’t even met yet - my son, who was still ten years away from being born.

Without delving into too many details, my story revolves around a traumatic event that left me feeling broken and lost. It was a time when I questioned the very existence of hope and whether I could ever find my way back to the light. Amidst the chaos and pain, I discovered that God’s redemption often takes shape in the most unexpected ways. Throughout this dark time, I began to dream (yes, actually dream!) of my unborn son. I had not even met my husband, I was years from having the life I have now, and yet God gave me glimpses of this sweet little boy who would one day be my whole world. It was as though God had sent me this vision to remind me that there was something worth fighting for, a future worth living for. During this season, I would literally lay in my bed, imagine I was curled up in God’s lap, and dream of this future. God has shown Himself in beautiful ways to me, but at this time, I needed a tender Father and that’s who He was.

Imagination can be a powerful tool for healing and coping with trauma. When I closed my eyes, I saw my son’s face, his bright eyes filled with wonder, and his innocent smile. I imagined the life we would share together, the joy he would bring into my world, and the love that would bind us forever. As I continued to discover reservoirs of hope within my soul, I was strengthened by the reminder that I had to get through what was happening to get to this beautiful child. My son's presence, though only in my imagination, felt real enough to sustain me. He became my anchor in the storm, my reason to keep moving forward.

The faith I had in God’s ability to turn ashes into something beautiful played a significant role in my journey. I realized that God was with me even in the darkest moments, guiding me, and providing the strength I needed to endure. While my faith had been shaken by the trauma, it also became my source of hope and healing. As I looked ahead to the day I would recognize myself again, or the day I would hold my son in my arms, I found renewed faith in the possibility of a brighter future. I knew God was working behind the scenes, orchestrating a story of redemption that I couldn’t fully grasp at that time.

Recovering from trauma is a long and difficult journey. It's a process that requires patience, self-compassion, counseling, and the support of loved ones. Along the way, I leaned on the lessons I had learned during those dark days. I held onto the image of my son and the belief that he represented a future filled with love and joy. Each step I took toward him brought me closer to healing.

In the end, my story is not just about the trauma I endured but about the redemption that followed. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of faith and imagination. It’s also an encouragement to you. If you are in a dark place or a place where you feel far from God, I encourage you to allow Him to hold you. The noise of despair and loneliness can be loud, I know it can. I encourage you to hold onto the glimmers of hope that appear, no matter how faint they seem. Lean on your faith, embrace the power of imagination, and trust that redemption is possible, even in the face of unspeakable pain. In the darkness, there are still cracks of light, and in the depths of despair, there is still hope. Keep moving forward, for you may one day find yourself redeemed and renewed, with a story to share that can inspire others on their own journeys toward healing and wholeness. If you are in a situation of domestic violence and you need support, please know help is available. The Domestic Violence Hotline is open 24/7, and can be reached at 800-799-7233.