Hope Story…

     Hope story – God is ever present…

Once there was a girl and her mom – just the two of them. Tomy was mom’s name, and her always smiling daughter was Jody.

Tomy always looked for love in men who loved her for a while – then betrayed her. She fiercely protected Jody and raised her to be different.

Fast forward many years to a time when Jody married and also found Jesus and fell into His caring arms. At the same time Tomy was misled into a cult thinking she was being taught truth.

Mother and daughter grew closer with each passing year. Tomy loving Jody’s children, making sure Jody had everything she needed, kindly loving Jody’s husband too. A week never went by where they didn’t spend time on the phone, so many miles separating them.

Then one day Tomy was old – and a diagnosis of an aneurysm was given. It rested on the optic nerve of her right eye and her sight and ability to read diminished. Add to it a botched back surgery and the next couple of years were very hard. But Jody’s words and prayers began to be answered. It seemed Tomy was pulling away from the cult.

Jody visited as often as she could never knowing one grey day when she drove away would be the last visit. The call came as Jody drove to work ‘Your mom’s in the hospital having emergency brain surgery, it doesn’t look good’.

Hospital and burial behind her, mementos packed in her car, Jody once again drove away. On the outskirts of town clouds gave way to blue skies. Flipping on the radio a song came on, an old song ‘I Can See Clearly Now’. For over four years Jody thought that was a nice song, a bit of hope that her beloved mother had indeed passed away knowing Jesus as Savior.

Then one day there was no one left of Jody’s family from the small town she had been born in. Taking a few days to herself she explored the beaches of her childhood, walked around the lake of her hometown, and finally, read the song’s words. This song wasn’t just about her mother, it was clearly about a mom and a daughter, just the two of them – and a God who loves them so much…

Tomy & Jody: ‘I can see clearly now, the rain is gone’ Jody ‘I can see all obstacles (worries and fears) in my way’. Tomy ‘Gone are the dark clouds (false religion) that had me blind’. Tomy & Jody ‘It’s gonna be a bright sunshiny day’. Tomy ‘Oh, yes, I can make it now the pain is gone, all of the bad feelings have disappeared’. Jody ‘Here is the rainbow I’ve been praying for’. Tomy & Jody ‘It’s gonna be a bright, bright, bright sunshiny day’!

The point of my story, dear reader, is two-fold – time spent on those you love is never wasted – and, never doubt our great God, He works out all things: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him…” (Romans 8:28 NIV)

If you stopped by because you read my devotion today over at Encouragement Cafe, WELCOME!   So glad you are here!