Words of Hope.

"God wants us just as we are - no pretense. He can handle our emotions and our doubts. He wants a real relationship." - Ginny L. Yttrup, Words

Is it possible for a book to find you? I stopped by Borders Thursday because the one here where I live is going out of business. I pick up the book Words by Ginny L. Yttrup simply becasue of the title and the picture on the cover. Then I flipped it over, and the first sentence read: "I collect words." I recently wrote the exact same sentence in a story I am writing for my fiction class. I know its a simple sentence, and not highly original, but it caught my attention just the same. On further reading, I discovered the story sounded not only intriguing but it was founded on the foundation of Jesus Christ - this was a story of hope. Naturally, I bought it. Still, I was unprepared for what awaited me amongst the pages.

The book deals with sexual abuse, in the form of a little girl. If that's not heartbreaking, I don't know what it is. But its the way the story pans out - how she is rescued, not only by a young woman, but also by the love of Jesus. And how, she in turn also rescues the young woman as the young woman puts her trust in God in order to help the little girl. It tells the Truth without being overbearing. Its a novel with undertones of God's hope, love, and redemption. It's been awhile since I've read a book that I couldn't put down. Partly because I rarely have time for reading anymore, and also because I just haven't been hooked by a book in awhile. I started Words last night. I finished it this morning. I feel touched, prodded, and renewed. I continue to be amazed at the ways God speaks to me when I need it most. How someone else's story can help me with my own. How the words of fiction can bring me to a place of seeking the Truth - the truth of God's word.

Romans 8:23b - 25 says this: "We groan as we wait for our adoption, the freeing of our bodies, from sin. We were saved with this hope in mind. If we hope for something we already see, it's not really hope. Who hopes for what can be seen? But if we hope for what we don't see, we eagerly wait for it with perserverance." Verses 26 - 28 also spoke to me this morning, but I want to share my heart with you, especially in terms of the first verse. We are all waiting to be loved, to be taken in, to find a home. God calls us as His children. We are adopted into His kingdom, not because of who we are, but because of who He is. He holds the keys to freedom. From anything! No sin is too big, too dark, too painful, for God to wash away. That's something I constantly have to remind myself of. God gives me hope, even if I can't understand why. I don't know what my future will hold, but I know that it can be full of freedom through Jesus Christ. He makes all things new again.

When our hearts are captivated by His love, the desire for sin and the strength of its power begins to lessen. He can take any story and turn it around. You don't have to be ashamed, or afraid, of telling the truth. He already knows. He sees you and He loves you just the same. He loves me, in spite of where I've been and who I've been. He uses little things to grab my attention, to grab your attention. Listen to the Truth. Delight in His word. Run to Him. I am in awe of who He is and the way He continues to grab my heart. My prayer is that you allow Him to do the same. I promise you won't regret it. Nothing is greater than freedom in the Father. I apologize if my thought process is jumbled or unclear, all I can say is I found a book that opened my heart, but more than that, I am falling deeper and deeper into a love relationship with God. A relationship that is full of surprises, full of hope. I can't wait to see where He leads me next! I will end with this prayer.

I will run to You - the friend for the sinners. The Savior of my soul. Thank you for not giving up on me, even when I start to give up on myself. I will run to You - the Truth. I will lose myself in the arms of Your faithfulness, the embrace of Your goodness. I will run to You - away from all the lies. I want to be wanted. You have always wanted me. Even before I knew you. I will run to you - the one who created me, the One who gives me life. You will reign, now and forever. I want to worship You for all of eternity. So, I will run to You - the One who gives me hope in the darkest moments.