Finding Hope in Our Grief

Lord, thank you for another day to worship and serve you. Open our eyes, minds, and hearts to the things you want us to see and know, and what you want us to do with them. Prepare our hearts for your people. In Jesus name, Amen

Inheritance of Hope was introduced to me through my dear friend Jill Thompson. We met in kindergarten, many years ago.

In 2019, my husband Jeremy was on a mission trip with my son in Honduras. He thought that he was struggling with Bell’s palsy, however, once he started working, he became dizzy in the field. It just so happened that they were working at an eye clinic. The ophthalmologist on the team said it wasn’t Bell’s Palsy and that he should get to the states as soon as possible. Over the next few weeks, my husband of 18 years was diagnosed with a rare inoperable brain tumor in the brain stem. He was a healthy, gentle giant. He was a college football player, a sales executive who loved his family, and faithfully served the Lord.

We were a family of four. At the time, my two boys were 14 and 15–they are now men–18 and 20! The doctor said Jeremy had five months to live. Then covid happened…
If I could write a book on the next phase of our lives, I would say that God is so good.
We had 14 beautiful months with Jeremy, where he chose JOY every day. He used to tell me that JOY doesn’t come from our circumstances, it comes from the Lord. That year we went skiing. At 6’3, 230lbs, one eye working, and zero balance, he was amazing! We also went to Yellowstone that year and saw as many friends and family members as possible.
One thing that I can tell you is that Jesus was so near. He met every need and He was flexing all the time with miracles upon miracles. One of those beautiful miracles was an online IoH retreat. The memories that I have from that weekend are priceless.
In October 2020, Jeremy went to be with Jesus two months after the retreat. It was a glorious day, one that I will never forget. What an honor to be with someone when they meet Jesus face to face–completely healed.
Fast forward to 2022, my youngest son Connor and I decided to volunteer at an IoH Legacy Retreat®. We were so looking forward to serving families facing the loss of a parent.
During that year my big brother Jeff was facing cholangial carcinoma, another extremely rare cancer. He passed a week before the retreat at the young age of 50, after a nine-month battle with this terrible disease. Unbelievable timing, the funeral was on the first day of the Orlando retreat.

As a mom, now a single mom, we all struggle with the question… is this the best thing for my child??? Lord, help me!!! Is this the right thing to do leaving a funeral and going straight to volunteer? Jill told me I had a hall pass!

But we decided to leave immediately after the funeral and head to serve with IoH. We walked right into the first night and settled in. I have never been more conflicted wrestling with the Lord in prayer. “Did I do the right thing???” Let’s go serve families that look like us in our grief. Doesn’t that sound like a great idea?
I know, I know, I am supposed to lift you up to go serve today… let me tell you what a decision that was… God knew exactly what He was doing. He took our broken grieving hearts and broke them for His people.
Indulge a mama brag here for two seconds. Connor was always a quiet, timid kid, all business. He did not like attention. What happened was nothing short of a miracle.
The compassion that poured out of my son that weekend was…. well, I don’t have words to describe it. I had multiple volunteers and parents telling me, affirming my decision by their kind words about Connor’s strengths and compassion. You see, God cares about ALL things. He was gently confirming my decision and taking care of me too! That weekend was the turning point of Connor’s faith and the way that He sees God’s faithfulness.
His attitude changed, his heart softened, and he could worship the Lord and honor his dad and uncle by serving a single mom with breast cancer. Connor will tell you that his faith was cemented after that weekend. It was a turning point that pulled him out of immense grief and into the beginning of a journey of hope. We all know what HOPE can do!

Here are the 4 things Hope allows me to do:

Trust in God’s Character and His promises: Believing in the goodness, love, and faithfulness of God, even when circumstances seem uncertain or challenging.

Confidence in God’s Timing: Waiting patiently for God’s timing and purposes to unfold, even when things do not happen according to my own plans or desires. This confidence in God’s timing reflects an understanding that His ways are higher than my ways.

Strength and Comfort: “Hope in the Lord” provides strength and comfort during difficult times, serving as a source of encouragement and peace. It reminds me that I am not alone in my struggles.

Eternal Perspective: Ultimately, “Hope in the Lord” looks beyond temporal circumstances and focuses on the eternal promises of salvation, redemption, and eternal life with God. It gives me assurance of a future filled with hope and joy, grounded in their relationship with God.

In summary, “Hope in the Lord” encompasses a deep, abiding trust in God’s character, promises, and sovereignty, leading to a sense of peace, strength, and assurance in the midst of life’s trials and uncertainties. It is the foundation of my faith.
What more could a mom ask for her son? Thank you, Jesus.
My challenge for you today is to see this weekend as an opportunity to see God’s favorite children, and they are! These families are showing up in their worst nightmare to the happiest place on earth for a moment of normalcy. You get to love them, see their pain, and celebrate their bravery. You get to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a very tangible way!
Our lives were forever changed by saying “YES” to God when we could have bailed!
This weekend you will impact so many lives. I am honored to serve with you as we partner with God and love His people.
Let us pray…

Thank you for each person here who has come prepared to serve. Remind them of the gracious and unending love you have for them. Remind them that you have prepared their hearts for this weekend. Give them your eyes for your people and help them to trust you will work all things for your good.

All glory and honor to you. In Jesus name, Amen

Erin Thomas is an IoH family member served and now gives back as a volunteer. She originally shared this devotional with the Orlando Legacy Retreat® Team in March 2024. 

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