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Hope for our hurts

Last week I read this quote from Jon Gordon, “We don’t get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it. Purpose keeps you fresh!” The next day I received an email reminding me why I am a pastor and why I write this column. I don’t do so to push my agenda or opinion, but to help people.

Here is the email: 
”On May 29th, 2017 my life took a turn for the worst. In fact it almost ended. My depression was so bad I felt I was only a burden. In a hopeful world I was hopeless and I took over 100 of my anxiety meds. Thankfully, I survived and I want to share with you how Prairie Heights Church has been my solid ground and hope this past year. After my overdose, I spent two weeks in the inpatient hospital. For the two Sundays I was there, I pulled out the paper and went right for the column written by Jon Hauser. I’d cheerfully read it aloud to my new friends there. My faith was stronger than ever knowing God played a role in me surviving and showing me the way to get help to become me again. I’ve had quite a few challenges this year. I’ve lost a couple friends to suicide, my marriage ended, I’ve had to manage working between multiple locations, one of my close friends went to prison, I was diagnosed with PTSD and borderline personality disorder, and the toughest one is my parents… I no longer speak to my father and I rarely hear from my mother.

“Now the good. Because of God and my church family, I didn’t completely break when my friends passed away. Instead, I learned how to grieve and open up about my life and feelings to those closest to me. The best thing of all, which people cannot believe, is that my ex-husband and I are best friends. We still do things as a family. You’ve probably seen us at church together. We are doing a great job co-parenting and showing our kids we still love each other. Through all of my bad this past year, I have learned to look past the dark and see the light. I attend church every Sunday and share with others how wonderful it is. I listen to Christian radio and read my Bible. Before my new life started, I would have pulled away from all of that, but now I see how much God loves me and has a plan for me. In fact I think he used my attempted suicide to show me my gift of helping people. I am a stronger Christian; I am a daughter of a wonderful heavenly Father; I am loved, and best of all I have so much hope! Thank you Prairie Heights for welcoming me and being the kind of church that heals the broken! Without this church I honestly don’t know where I’d be. If sharing a piece of my story helps others that’s all I can ask for!”

I am so proud of this young lady. I am so thankful God heals the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. We all have a story. We all need God and a church family.

He can be reached at www.jonhauser.com.

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