Trouble to Hope

Tired, weary
Worn and beaten down
Traveled to my homeland
Renewed, revived.
Strangers once
Hearts now entwined.

"I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt." Hosea 2:15

In this passage, GOD took Israel to the desert to communicate hope without distractions. GOD loves his children and desires the very best for each of us. He often uses painful experiences to bring about growth and change in our lives.

For me, traveling to South Carolina this past week was the desert. I knew GOD wanted me to go, but deep inside I had many fears. However, GOD always proves Himself faithful.

True to form, I was blindsided by the real reason I was there, until the night before we left to come home. GOD healed my heart while healing the heart of another at the same time.

Over the years, I had prayed, sought God's will, and Godly counsel regarding issues within my family and the lack of relationship between all parties. With so much pain and heart ache it seemed hopeless. In the last few years, I had reached out with cards and letters, but still no response.

As a result of my Grandmother's death some of the family came together for the services. All parties were not present, but many came. During our time together, GOD formed a bond between a few of us only HE could will and accomplish. As a result, GOD turned the "Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope."

Hope abounds in the hearts of a few of us and we pray it will be contagious to others within our family. We pray that each member will reach for the true source of hope, our Heavenly Father.

Living in the "gateway of hope,"

Andrea

Celebrating The Victory of Death

"For the Lord Most High is awesome, He is the great King of all the earth. He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet. He chose the promise land as our inheritance, the proud possession of Jacob's descendants, whom he loves." Psalm 47:2-4

It is impossible to describe how awesome GOD is with words, yet we have an obligation to share HIS greatness with others. We should begin by sharing what we know in our hearts to be true about ALMIGHTY GOD.

Last Saturday, my Grandmother Bowling ended her earthly struggle with emotional and physical pain and ascended into her Heavenly Father's arms. She spent 92 years in a body tormented by the demon's of her past, forever affecting and entire family. For many years those demons were allowed to rip our family limb from limb. Each member of our family has carried the affects of our Grandmother's scarred childhood with them throughout their lives.

Though many will not admit it, we carry strong values and traits because of our Grandmother's affect on our lives. Each child and grandchild values knowledge and education; we strive for perfection in all areas of our lives.

There has never been a closeness in the Bowling family. Because of the dynamics within our family, the grandchildren were not allowed to be close. We were robbed of the relationship "each of us" secretly longed for, daily.

Our Grandmother genetically left some of us an inner strength and a boldness most individuals do not embody. Our personalities are strong; we are stubborn and outspoken. Each of us work daily to use these qualities in a positive way, rather than negatively harming those in our path.

Today, I could not be more thankful for each of these qualities. Because my sister and I share these traits with our cousin Jennifer, GOD in HIS infinite wisdom brought us together through difficult circumstances. Jennifer now shares a bond with Courtney and I no one can destroy. The enemy has now lost his foothold in one more life. At ages 42, 40, and 28, we will begin anew. Courtney and I do not have a cousinly bond with Jennifer, we have a new sister to love and cherish!

Geographically we are far apart, however, our hearts are forever united. A healing beyond description took place as a result of our Grandmother's death and we are praising GOD for the opportunity He laid before us.

It is our prayer many others within our family will surrender their hurt and pain to a Heavenly Father who heals, protects, loves, and restores. Jennifer, Courtney, and I long for the sons, daughter in laws, and other grandchildren to find the peace, happiness, and healing we now share.

Celebrating the victory of death,


Andrea