Hope for the Day

Hope is Much Greater Than Worry!

2011-03-21T07:52:00.000-07:00

Worry is the companion of loss. How will life go on? How will I ever begin to smile again? When will this shattered feeling leave? How much more can I take? And, the worst worry of all – What if this happens again?

All of these fears are normal for anyone who has gone through the pain of loss. Life will forever be more fragile. When suffering breaks into our world, we are made acutely aware of just how precious each moment “in the now” truly is.

The worry will decrease as we begin to allow ourselves to trust in the beauty and miracle of life once again. There is no hurrying in grief, and so this winning over worry is a step-by-step process. The future will unfold one day, one hour, and one minute at a time. And, as it does, we will begin to open our hearts slowly to new hope that builds new trust and new joy.

Be patient with yourself and begin with one small step at a time. Remind yourself often that you already have begun this walk of hope where worry will in time be left behind. You will make it! Hope is much larger than worry! –Clara Hinton

“I know that worry is useless and drains my energy. I will try, today, to put down one worry, leave it, and walk away.” -Clara Hinton

“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.” -- Psalm 62:5,6

To get a copy of the book Silent Grief by Clara Hinton, please visit www.silentgrief.com/store today!

The Journey to Finding Hope!

2011-03-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

Do you have a copy of the book Silent Grief? You can order your copy today by visiting the store at www.silentgrief.com . Why not donate a copy to your church and hospital, too? Grief from child loss is one of the most misunderstood griefs of all! –Clara Hinton

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When we are suffering intense grief, we find it difficult, if not impossible, to remember what it felt like to be happy. We do not remember that feeling of energy and zest for living. We cannot recall how much fun it was to plan out the agenda for the day. We forget the small things like the background noise of happy chatter and laughter. We forget joy. We forget the wonderful feeling of waking up each new day with hope!

Grief and loss send us to a new place. A foreign land where we are forced to learn a new language and adapt to new feelings and circumstances. We have been uprooted from what felt safe and secure and happy, and have been sent to a place that is unknown and so very frightening. This is our grief journey, and we do not know how we’ll make it!

What has helped most of us who have been called on this journey is knowing that we never have to travel alone. We have others beside us who have led the way, and they have found their new places in life and have begun to smile again. You, too, will find a new joy, and a new peace, and a new way to look at all of life again. You will find HOPE with the unfolding of each new day! --Clara Hinton

“At first I was lost in the dark, then I looked upward and saw the sun peeking through the clouds and I knew with certainty that I was on the right path to call home!” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is for me; I will not fear.” --Psalm 118:6

When All Feels Lost, Hope is Still Alive!

2011-03-08T08:21:00.000-08:00

Grief from child loss is a difficult journey. Do you know someone who is grieving and in need of some help? Why not give them a gift to help in this most difficult walk? Order a copy of “Silent Grief” by Clara Hinton today. Visit the bookstore on www.silentgrief.com for details or visit your local bookstore and order a copy today.
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Grief is so common among all people, yet it is something that makes us feel so terribly alone in our pain. Even when members of a family share the same loss, the type of grieving we do can be so uniquely different. We each experience the pain of our loss in different ways that make grief so hard to understand.

Is there a common thread in grief that we can each see and feel? Yes! That one thing we long for, that one thing we each understand is that we need hope when feeling such despair. We need to find a way to move forward in life and not stay stuck in the lonely prison of grief.

How do we do this? How do we find this hope that we so desperately need? The only true and lasting hope can be found in our faith. When we know with full assurance that our Shepherd is watching over us, we can rest in Him. When our faith stretches to the point of understanding that if He calmed the stormy seas He can also calm my storm-battered heart, then I can find hope and strength in Him.

Walk among nature and experience the mighty presence of God. Read His word and allow Him to comfort your hurting heart. Look to the heavens and be filled with awe as you know He is always with you. Cling to the promise of the rainbow – our visible promise of hope! Grief is real, but hope is eternally alive! –Clara Hinton

“Without hurry or fear I will dwell in the house of my grief and wait for the promise of my hope to return!” --Clara Hinton

“…in quietness and trust is your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15

Hope Arrives When We Least Expect It!

2011-02-21T11:28:00.000-08:00

**********Silent Grief Retreat 2011***********
Have you registered for the Silent Grief Retreat being held in Warm Springs, GA this March 18 – 20, 2011? Please visit http://www.clarahinton.com to register. I can’t wait to see you there! --Clara Hinton
*********Silent Grief Retreat 2011**************

It happens so gradually that most often we don’t realize it is taking place. We wake up one morning with the sun shining brightly and we smile and welcome the day. We go through twenty four hours without crying. We join in on a conversation and there is laughter minus any guilt. And we realize that we have finally reached our new destination.

The journey wasn’t easy. In fact, we experienced every storm and hardship imaginable. We had many setbacks along the way. But, finally we have found that new place that we can call home. It is different from what we knew as our happiness before, but there is a joy here, too, and we know that we can peacefully settle in and call this new land our home.

Yes, without really know it, we have settled into our new place. There will be setbacks and reminders of our loss, but the pain will no longer take precedence over all that we think and do. Instead, we will have gentle and fond remembrances, and we will shift most of our thoughts to loving gratitude for today. And, most importantly, we will know that the dark side of our grief is no longer our landscape. Instead, we can live in the quiet, serene beauty of hope and peace. –Clara Hinton

“I will walk through this pain of grief one day at a time until I reach my new home of peace and hope.” --Clara Hinton

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry…….And, He put a new song in my mouth.” -- Psalm 40: 1 and 3

Rest in Him for Your Strength!

2011-02-16T12:14:00.000-08:00

For details about the March 18 - 20, 2011 Retreat, please visit http://www.clarahinton.com. Register today and give yourself the gift of hope! I look forwardto seeing you in Warm Springs, Georgia! -Clara Hinton
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There are times when we grow so weak from the sorrow and pain of this life that we think we can't go on. We die just a little bit more when others tell us to "buckle up and be strong." How can we be strong when we are so weak we cannot even open our eyes or lift our weary heads from bearing so much pain?

How greatly we are tempted to become depressed and to feel lost in this big world of ours during our moments of heartache and aloneness. This is when we most need to remember the kindness and gentle caring of our Father. He gently and tenderly reminds us to simply trust Him and "be still." Being still during our weakest moments is necessary so that we can be revived. Rest. Be still! Lean completely into the arms of our Father who intimately knows our pain, and allow Him to dry our tears.

By trusting and resting in His strength, we will gain new strength and hope. If today finds you feeling totally lost and depleted, if you are wondering how much longer you can go on, you are in need of complete rest in Him. That's all God really asks of us. Don't try to be strong; just be still and allow His deep love, His tender caring, and His strength to transfuse you with hope and new strength once again! -- Clara Hinton

"God reserves His best medicine for our times of deepest pain." --Clara Hinton

"Be still and know I am God." --Psalm 46:10

Finding the New Normal

2011-02-07T08:10:00.000-08:00

“When does this pain of loss end? Is there no relief?” This is often the cry of a parent who has lost a child. The grief seems too big and too hard at times. And, there seems to be no end in sight for the pain and isolation. And, yet we know that somehow, some way life must continue on.

We keep trying; keep reminding ourselves that we must take life one day at a time. In fact, sometimes we take life one hour at a time, giving ourselves the time we need to adjust to our new world, our new way, this life that now is labeled “the new normal.”

And, so we train our minds daily to look for the good, to listen for the song, and to watch for the sunshine and blue skies. We force ourselves to move forward into this world knowing that it will never be the same again, but also understanding that we must choose to move forward into this
new land beyond our grief journey. And, so we do!

Hope is amazing as it teaches us that the very same sun is still shining and waiting to warm us. Nature is still painting the world with beauty beyond words. Our Father is still giving us comfort and help in order to help fill the void. And, so we slowly move forward knowing that one day the curtain of grief will be pulled back and we will be able to see life with new eyes and a heart filled with hope! --Clara Hinton

“There is no way out, but there is a way that goes forward.” --C. Hinton

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” --Isaiah 40:31

Which Blue are You?

2011-01-31T11:49:00.000-08:00

Blue is such an interesting color! It can take on the meaning of so many different things, feelings, moods, and traditions. There is sky blue, ocean blue, true blue, blue ribbon, blue moon, feeling blue, singing the blues, and having the blues. You get the picture. Sometimes blue is associated with springtime, and nature, and wonderment. Often blue is used synonymously with peaceful and tranquil, and serene.

Blue can also take on the meaning of feeling sadness and sorrow. Blue can mean bemoaning our circumstances in life. And, having the blues can even be related to feelings of depression. What numerous contrasts of meanings found just in the simple word, “blue.”

When we are going through a loss, we will often use “blue” to describe the state of our emotions. We are feeling sad, lonely, isolated, and depressed. We don’t see the world as a place of peace and quietness, but rather our world is mixed up and out of sync. Nothing feels right or in place. We feel displaced and upset. We are sad blue. And, oh how we long for the time when we will see life as “sky blue” once again! With a heavy heart we wonder if that time will ever arrive!

If you are in a place of sad blue right now, hold on! Remember that blue is an ever-changing color! Your time of springtime and newness will arrive again! Today your world might look blue etched in the darkness of black. Your world may feel as though it is crashing apart. But, hope is alive, and will return to bring you back to a place of blue calmness just as sure as the sun rises and sets each day.

How do you know when your sad blue will take a turn for the hopeful blue? You will know when your eyes see the shades of blue differently. What looked dark and frightening will appear warm and inviting. What looked lonely and angry will look complete and filled with peace. You will once again see the sky as an expanse of blue with billowy white clouds, rather than seeing the sky dark blue filled with angry storm clouds.

Hope will color your blue with springtime! Hope will bring new life to your blue! Hope will ignite your heart and allow you to love life once again! Hold on! Keep looking upward and believe that your day of “new blue” will arrive! And, most assuredly it will! --Clara Hinton

“Who can resist the feelings of hope when staring at the expanse of the beautiful blue sky?” --C. Hinton

“Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, who is the help of my sad countenance, O my God.” --Psalm 43:5

Thirty Days to Finding Your Heart

2011-01-14T08:18:00.001-08:00

A new year has begun, and yet we find ourselves feeling the same pangs of emptiness and loss as we did the year before. And, so we ask, “How does one begin anew when the heart has been taken out of life?” That is the question every parent asks when a child dies. “How? How does one begin anew?”

When our heart has been broken, we don’t have answers – at least not answers that make any sense. And, so in our desperation and brokenness, we turn to God for our help. We look to the only One who can give us the hope and the reason to go on.

Practice this exercise faithfully for the next 30 days and you will begin to notice small, subtle changes that will eventually give you back your heart. Say “thank you” aloud for five blessings each day. Take ten minutes to experience nature – listen to the birds singing their morning praises, experience the miracle of the rising sun, gaze at the twinkling stars in the moonlit sky. Memorize five verses from the Psalms – healing verses that tell of God’s mighty power and His infinite love for you.

At the end of 30 days, you will desire to continue this practice for another 30 days, and another, and another all throughout the year as this is your way of feeding your soul and bringing life back into your once empty heart! -- Clara Hinton

“Life has a way of bringing you back to places you thought were forever forgotten.” --Clara Hinton

“Cease striving and know that I am God.” -- Psalm 46:10a

Hope is Alive!

2010-12-01T07:27:00.001-08:00

The pain of loss is something that cannot be explained by words alone. How does one explain a pain that runs so deep that it makes the heart bleed? How does one tell others what it feels like to have a cloud always hovering above with reminders of the life that no longer exists as we once knew it? How can we possibly share the personal pain we feel to the extent that others understand? It cannot be done. Grief is too personal.

How then do we move forward? How do we find our place in our new world – the world that has been created by our loss? How can we find a way to bring joy back into our hearts that hurt so much each day? Is it even possible to reclaim joy?

This world is full of pain and grief. That is a fact. But, it is also brimming over with joy and blessings. When we are in the pits of grief, we feel alone and abandoned by all blessings. But, as we allow hope to ignite within us, it acts as a magnet drawing the blessings of life closer and closer to us until finally we reach that point where we can see joy again. No longer does grief rule our lives. It is there. We will always feel that sting of loss, but no longer will it govern our every thought and action.

Hope is alive, and it is bigger than any pain we are feeling right now! Cling to hope and it will ignite a fire within your heart so that you can find your way out of the darkness into light! –Clara Hinton

“Be still and allow the hope within to warm your heart with joy.” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” -- Psalm 18:2:a

Healing and Hope Come One Day at a Time

2010-10-19T08:56:00.000-07:00

Grief is a journey, and every person experiencing grief knows that. What we don’t always know, and cannot fully grasp, is the phrase, “one day at a time.” Wow! That’s so hard! How do you only look at this day – today – when so much of yesterday and so much of tomorrow has been taken away?

Living in the “today” is often the griever’s biggest heartache. Learning to grab hold of today and enjoy something about it without sorrowing about the future – the things that will never become part of our today – is often the most draining part of loss. Yet, we know that it’s a necessary part of our healing. Living just for today is hard work, but we must learn how to do it if we choose to live this life with renewed joy.

At first, one thinks only of making it through the lonely days and nights. Then, our walk becomes a bit more “normal” as we call it in the world of grieving. We come to understand that our normal is a new normal. Things will never totally be the same again. Then, our final step in this journey of grief is the total understanding of what has happened, and learning to live just for today and grasp the joy and renewed hope of today.

This change doesn’t come right away. It may take many long months, which reach into years. But, you will know with full certainty when you are living in the joy of this day.

When you can hear the birds singing their morning song and your heart whistles along, you are beginning to heal. When you can see the sunrise and smile with assurance knowing this is going to be a good day, you have begun to heal. When you hear laughter from others and you give yourself permission to join in, you will absolutely know that you are beginning to learn to live in the joy of this day!

Joy will return. It will be different than before your loss, but your new hope and joy will be deeper, more meaningful, and you will live in the presence of the gift of this day! -- Clara Hinton

“I will not try to bypass the pain of grieving. I will take it one day at a time until hope and joy return!” -- Clara Hinton

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” --Psalm 37:7

The Newness of Grief

2010-10-04T07:36:00.000-07:00

Facing change under the best of circumstances is difficult and a bit frightening, to say the least. What will it be like? How can I be prepared? When wills this awful feeling leave? How long will it take me to get to a place of feeling normal again? Change brings about many new things for us, and the loss of a child is perhaps the worst change one can ever go through! We no longer can find the ground beneath us, much less travel the road of grief we have now been placed upon!

Mercifully, the sharp edges of pain that accompany grief will not always be there. With each passing day, we are making progress in finding our way through all of the new grief – even if it doesn’t feel like it. Time stops being our enemy and actually begins to help give us what we need to help navigate through this dark, winding path called grief.

If you are in the newness of grief right now, life is not at all routine for you. Everything is different from the rising of the sun to the close of the day. Hold on! Millions have walked this path you are now on, and they, too, struggled. They searched. They fell down. They suffered battle fatigue. They asked hard questions. They cried millions of tears, but they made it. And, you will make it, too!

Hope is stronger than the grief you are experiencing today. Hope will eventually help you begin to feel alive again. Hope will emerge strong. Hope will light your path. Hope will brighten your journey. Hope will calm your fears. Hope will give you purpose again. Hope will carry you through! -- Clara Hinton

“Hope is stronger than any grief, and when my aching soul surrenders to hope, I will begin to see light once again!” –C. Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” --Psalm 23:1

Autumn's Grief

2010-09-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

Grieving has its seasons, and autumn seems to be a particularly difficult season for those who have gone through loss. Maybe it’s the visual of seeing the flowers stop blooming and the leaves falling off of the trees. Perhaps it’s feeling the warm summer sunshine fading and suddenly feeling the lingering chill in the air. For most of us who have experienced loss, autumn is a time of reflection and bracing ourselves for the days of winter that lie ahead.

What if – what if we viewed autumn a bit differently this year? What if we reminded ourselves of how beautiful spring will be when it arrives again? What if we took the time to plant flower bulbs in the fall so that we can look for our spring following the dark days of winter? What if we promise ourselves to keep focused on the beauty of spring and summer rather than facing autumn with fear and dread?

Many years ago, following the loss of a baby boy, I went through a terrible autumn of grief. Winter was even worse, and I was not certain that springtime in my life would ever again return. I’m not sure what moved me to plant daffodil bulbs that fall, but I did. As I planted them, they were watered with my tears. The more I dug into the chilled, barren earth, the more my tears fell. Yet, I continued to dig and plant. Dig and plant. Dig and plant.

Autumn passed, the ground lay frozen and covered in snow for months in the mountains of Pennsylvania. And, my sorrow remained heavy. Little did I know how much spring would awaken my soul that year! Little did I know how much my grief would be lifted when I saw the first signs of those daffodils breaking through the ground that was now beginning to thaw! Little did I know how much of my grief would be lifted as I saw those first springtime blooms of daffodils! Hope returned! MY hope returned!

Are you facing autumn with dread and fear? Why not buy a bag of flower bulbs and plant them now? And, then wait……patiently and knowingly wait for your spring to return! And, when it does, I can assure you that it will be more beautiful than ever! –C. Hinton

“Grief endures for a season, and spring always returns!” --C. Hinton
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matt. 5:5

Love,
Clara Hinton
Mom of 11 living children
Mom of 1 stillborn son
Mom of 6 angel babies
Author of Silent Grief

How Will I Get Through the Next Day?

2010-09-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

How will I do it? How will I get through the next day when I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel? Who really understands? Does anyone want to sit down beside me and help me through this mess in my life? I feel so alone, so broken, and so helpless!

Every person who has experienced loss has felt those same feelings of helplessness and abandonment. Life feels shattered and it seems to us that we will never be
put back together again. Our burdens seem far too big for us, and so many times we give up searching for hope.

Hold on! Take a moment to stop and breathe slowly. Close your eyes and reflect on the moment. Listen to your own heart beating and know that as long as you have life inside of you, you have HOPE!

We each have had deep moments of pain and darkness, and during those times it is hard, if not impossible, to imagine ever seeing the light of day again. But, God designed us in His image, and He has not left us alone. Our Creator has sent us the sun, the moon, and the stars to shed light even during our darkest hours.

Take a walk outside for a moment every day just to listen to the sounds of nature. Do you hear the gentle breeze blowing through the trees? Can you hear the songbird singing a song of thanks and praise in the distance? Look to the heavens and follow the clouds. Stare at them until you can see beyond the misty blue to find the breaking of a new dawn. These are gifts of hope for us! These are our daily reminders that each day brings new hope and new strength! We have not been left alone in our pain! Rather, our heavenly Father has wrapped us in His arms of love and will never let go! --Clara Hinton

“Every sunrise is a personal reminder of new hope!” -- C. Hinton

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” -- Matthew 5:4 (From the Sermon on the Mount)

Our Heart Can Smile -- Even in the Rain!

2010-08-30T23:48:00.000-07:00

The weather is so unpredictable. Sunny and warm one day, and then the next day there could be mighty gusts of wind with torrential downpours. We never know quite what to expect or how to prepare for the unpredictability of the weather!

Grief is so much like the weather. Some days the sun shines and we feel so warm and good all over. Then, without any warning, a storm begins brewing and before we know it, we’re running to find shelter.

The life touched by grief never really knows how to dress for the weather. Will it be raining today, or will there by only sunny skies? Will laughter touch my heart, or will my tears flow fast enough to fill a river?

One thing we do know, and that is that the sudden flashes back into intense grief will not always be that way. There will be a day when our grief no longer is the focus of our entire attention. We will be “okay” if a brief shower comes because we know that soon the skies will part and the sun will shine once again.

What triggers the rain in our lives? It could be something as insignificant as seeing a baby kitten rolling around in the grass. Or a butterfly fluttering to and fro. Maybe it’s a song that comes on the radio that reminds us of the emptiness in our lives. And, we weep tears of sorrow.

We’ll probably never be totally free of these grief flashes, but there will be a day when hope overrides our deep sense of loss and our heart will wear a smile – even in the rain! –C. Hinton

“Somewhere in the middle of my grief is the complete trust that spring will come again!” --Clara Hinton

“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my help and my God.” --Psalm 42:5

And, the Clouds Reach Out to Me in Hope!

2010-08-23T08:19:00.000-07:00

Today is another day in the 365 days that make up a year. I find myself being swallowed in a sea of grief and pain today, yet I have an inner knowing that somehow, someway it is still going to be good. I know because I have seen another sunrise. I know because I have experienced the joy of hearing the birds in the distance chirping their songs of praise and thankfulness. I know because I’ve seen others fall into a similar sea and come out onto dry land strong, and filled with new hope.

My greatest moment of “knowing” comes when I look at creation. Not all of us have the opportunity to walk along the sea, or to pick wildflowers from a field, but
each one of us has the sky! Can you even begin to fathom the expanse? Study the moods of the sky by following the clouds and their many changes from dark to white and fluffy billows of cotton floating through the air.

When I look at the heavens I am filled with hope! I know that I have a Creator who takes great pain in every detail, including the very details of my life. I can feel His presence in my life, and I am comforted. I can see His workmanship and know that He is very involved in my life. I can see His mighty power in all of His creation and I feel embraced in His strength.

What are you going through today? Pain? Doubts? Loss? Fear? Look to the heavens and allow the Maker of it all to hold you in His strong arms and to keep you safe! Hope is near. Strength is yours. Peace is your gift today! --Clara Hinton

“Beneath the vast expanse of the sky, I can sense the order of the world and feel secure in the arms of my God.” --C. Hinton

“My soul clings to Thee; thy right hand upholds me.” -Psalm 63:8

Grief is a Roller Coaster Ride!

2010-07-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

We need to constantly remind ourselves that grief is not a smooth path, but is often rocky, bumpy, and takes us off course for a while. There will be setbacks, but that doesn’t mean that you’re not making progress in your journey towards finding hope and joy once again. Every step that you take is a step closer to finding new hope and strength!

Rather than waste precious energy beating yourself up about not doing better, why not remind yourself daily that you are doing the best that you can. You’ve been pushed into a place that is foreign territory, and you had no choice. Expect some setbacks, accept them when they come, take time to get the tears and pain all out, take a deep breath, then move on.

Life is fragile for each of us, and we’re all in this thing together. Remember that hope is nearby, even when we cannot see it. Trust that the One who created you and this universe knows you intimately and cares. He knows your every joy, and He suffers with you through your every heartache.

If today is one of those not-so-good days, then take heart, allow the pain to be released, and know with full assurance that when you do that, you’re opening up the door to new hope! --Clara Hinton

“Go to sleep knowing that God is awake, and He will take over the things that you cannot do. You are never, ever alone!” --Clara Hinton

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” -- Psalm 37a

Nature Speaks Volumes to us about Faith and Hope!

2010-06-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

There are times in our lives when our faith seems to fly right out the window. Life can hand us some brutal circumstances and we’re left feeling like we’re drifting out to sea without a life jacket or a captain to steer the boat. It’s a terrible feeling of being lost and shipwrecked.

If you’re facing some of the harshness of the day such as job loss, financial insecurities, broken relationships, or the loss of a loved one, that’s the time when you most need your faith and hope. But, how does that happen when all looks dark?

During my own desert times of faith I’ve done two things that have helped me, and I’ll share them with you. I’ve saturated myself in the Psalms. There are cries of hopelessness followed by the assurance that God is alive and real. And, that’s just what we need whenever the unrelenting seas of grief and pain are battering us.

I also walk among nature. Just seeing the many wonders of nature is calming to my soul. Nature is God’s display of His wondrous love and care and power. Nature speaks volumes to us about hope. The seasons come and go, and we know that there is always a spring that follows the depths of winter.

Hope is alive, and hope is the key to restoring our faith. Faith and hope are the keys to survival! When obstacles and trials seem like prison walls, we can break free by clinging onto our hope in the power of the Almighty! --Clara Hinton

“When there seems to be no chance of being set free from my grief, hope bathes my soul with new strength and I am set free!” --Clara Hinton

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; surely I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” -Isaiah 41:10

When the World has Broken You Down -- Trust!

2010-06-07T04:56:00.000-07:00

Do you feel like your life is falling apart? Broken relationships? Illness? Bills stacked higher than the sky? Out of work? Nobody to talk with who really cares? Mourning the death of a loved one? If any of this is your life, then join the ranks of millions who are walking the lonely path of grief and are looking for help.

Grief is so difficult to explain and even more difficult to get rid of once it invades the inner being of your heart. The pain takes residence there and seems to take root and spread faster than a wildfire. Except. Except when you place your hope and trust in a loving God who cares.

At first that might seem trite and so commonplace that it doesn’t even
register. “Place your hope and trust in God.” We’ve heard that hundreds of times. We’ve read it even more. Yet, when it comes to practicing that one principle, we fall so short because we give up too soon.

Trust? How do we do that? We trust by letting go of our fears and allowing somebody who is bigger, stronger, and mightier that we are to take us and hold us in the protection of His mighty arms.

Does that mean that the storms that are raging within our lives will come to an immediate halt? Most likely, the answer to that question is “no”. The storms will continue to touch our lives. The winds will be so strong they will threaten to knock us down at times. The pouring rain of tears will often drench our pillow, yet we will hold fast. We will be anchored to the Rock that is strong and secure. We will weather the storm and remain safe until the sun comes out once again. When we trust, our fear leaves and we are filled with hope.

Let go of your fear today. Trust in Him for today. Be filled with hope today. And, feel yourself grow stronger today! --Clara Hinton

“When the world has broken you down, He will lift you up!” --Clara Hinton

“In my trouble I cried to the Lord and He answered me.” -- Psalm 120:1

You Can Make it Through Today!

2010-06-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

When we’re going through pains, trials, and loss, it seems like there is no end in sight. The bills continue to pile up. The work seems to fall more and more behind. The clutter builds until soon we can’t even find a chair to sit in. And more than anything, that overwhelming feeling of loneliness seems to be worse than ever!

Does it ever end? Does the sadness ever go away when we’ve lost someone? Do we ever find a place in our hearts for joy again? Can we ever feel whole when we’ve been torn apart by disaster and pain? Grief pushes us onto a new road that we’ve never traveled before and the path seems all uphill, rocky, and impossible to climb!

Hold on! Stop right where you are and take a few minutes to reflect, to catch your breath, and to understand that today is one day, and you can make it through! You can take things hour by hour, until you can say with positive affirmation, “I’ve made it!” That’s all we’re ever expected to do. We need only to make it through today.

Expect the sunrise to come with brilliance and strength and new hope. Today is almost gone, yesterday is over, and tomorrow is a brand new beginning with opportunities for new hope and new miracles.

Don’t confuse mourning your loss with forgetting how to live. It’s a difficult climb to reach that point of getting there, but when you do you will know it. The flowers will gain back their brilliant colors. The sky will once again look bright blue. The warmth of the sunshine will touch your soul. And, you will no longer feel alone.

If you are struggling with loss and pain today, take some time right now to pause and rest your soul. Remember that tomorrow is a brand new day with new strength and new hope! You can do it! – Clara Hinton

“I can live today, and I can place hope in a brighter tomorrow!” --Clara Hinton

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” --Isaiah 40:31

When All You Do is Worry

2010-05-24T04:39:00.000-07:00

Life can be so difficult, and there are times when things seem to pile up and get way out of our control. The bills. Sickness. Family problems. Depression. Broken relationships. The death of a loved one. Worse is when these things come at us in rapid succession without giving us any time to catch our breath or gain any new strength. We’re left feeling exhausted and depleted of all hope!

What do we do when we’ve lost every ounce of energy, every bit of desire for life that we once had? That’s a sure-fire sign that we are experiencing life-burnout and we need to step back, take a long, hard look at the real picture, and then call on God for extra help.

God has given us promises of being our very present help in trouble. He says that He is our shield and protector. He tells us that He is our Shepherd and cares so deeply about each of us that he even has the hairs on our head counted! But, when we’re going through painful sorrow, it’s hard to believe all of this is true! That’s when we need to hold fast to our Father even more, and cling to His word and make that our security blanket.

Look to the skies and be reminded of the One who created the heavens. Feel the gentle breeze against your face and know that it is the whisper of God reminding you He is near. Watch the sunbeams dancing and know that God is touching you with His very breath. God is real. He is alive. And, He will carry you through whatever problem and pain is touching your life! He gives the hope and peace to carry on! --Clara Hinton

“Worry never accomplishes anything except giving you extra wrinkles and a big headache! Let go and let God!” --Clara Hinton

“And now Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in Thee.” --Psalm 39:7

When Hope Seems Distant

2010-05-23T21:25:00.000-07:00

Whenever grief enters our lives, it is often described as feeling like a hole has been placed right in the center of our hearts and nothing in the world can ever fill that void. That’s grief at its worst, and for a long time it hurts like nothing we’ve ever felt before. Loss touches every area of our living, and we feel drained, and devoid of all hope.

Well meaning people urge us to move on in life and our grief will diminish. While this is true to a degree, the one thing we need the most is hope. We need some kind of assurance that tomorrow will be a better day than today. We want to know that we will not always feel so alone and sad. We need something to assure us that joy will come in the morning.

God, in His infinite love and care for us, knew that we would need to know with absolute assurance that hope is still alive within our grieving hearts, so He gave us daily reminders to serve as hope boosters. All we have to do is look to the heavens, and we can see the mighty works of God. We see the sun, the stars, the moon, the clouds, and the vast expanse of the sky. All of those are reminders of what a mighty God we have as our Father.

God did not design a world of chaos and despair, but rather a world of beauty and miracles. When we look at the intricate makings of a flower, our hearts fill with hope because we know that if God cares that much for a flower, He truly cares for each one of us! We are never alone. Hope lives within our hearts forever! – Clara Hinton

“Every new day is a gift of hope sent from God.” --C. Hinton

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” --Psalm 19:1

Even in Loss, We have Choices!

2010-05-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

Most of us don't like change. We get to a place in life where we feel comfortable, and we are fine with staying there. Then, out of the blue, there comes something that knocks us flat and leaves us wondering if we'll ever get to a place in life where all feels okay again. Loss brings about so many changes in our lives!

Are you struggling with finances today? Broken relationships? Loss of health? Lost dreams? Loss of a loved one? The unthinkable - the loss of a child? If so, please know that you're not alone in this pain. Countless others have walked the lonely path of grief and pain and have been faced with many changes, and they've made it. The good news is that you, too, will make it to a new place of peace and joy!

While dealing with all of the changes that come about due to a loss, surround yourself with others who can support you. Look to those who have gone through similar circumstances for some much-needed guidance and encouragement. Above all else, lean on your heavenly Father for strength!

Remember, too, that we have choices all along the way. We can choose to place ourselves in the dark corner of hopelessness forever, or we can choose to look for new hope in the everyday happenings of life. Look at the sunrise and the sunset and find the miracle in each one. Study the beauty of a flower ready to burst into full bloom and reflect on how much God cares about details. Listen to the sounds of nature singing a song of hope just for you!

Slowly but surely, changes will take place, and you will find yourself once again able to enjoy the small blessings in life. Day by day, the sun will begin to shine once again, and you will find yourself able to face the day with renewed hope and strength! - Clara Hinton

"Hope places new life into every soul who asks for it!" --Clara Hinton

"Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul." -Psalm 54:4

When You Need Comfort

2010-05-19T03:07:00.000-07:00

Where do you go when you need comfort? Who do you turn to in your sorrow? Far too many times we try to “handle it on our own” and sorrow has a way of swallowing us up, so-to-speak, until we feel like we have fallen into a pit of dark, lonely grief.

We have so many choices, and we need different kinds of comfort and reassurance at different times and moments in our lives.

Sometimes we need the quiet and comfort of nature. We need to see the sunrise and the sunset, and we need to hear the sounds of birds singing, crickets chirping, and frogs singing their night time songs of peace and joy.

Sometimes we need other people. We need hugs, and lots of them. We need comforting, uplifting words. We need to see the smile on the face of a friend. We need to feel compassion!

Other times we need to hear the voice of God, and only God. We need to clear our minds of all clutter and concentrate of Him and be reminded that He is still in control of our world that seems so out of control.

Where are you in your sorrow today? Don’t sit in the deep pit of loneliness. Reach out. Make a choice to get some help. Walk among nature. Call a friend. Better yet, make plans to meet a friend and share a meal together. Talk. Cry. And, yes, allow yourself to smile and laugh – even in your sorrow. And, always call on God. He is never too busy, and His love is greater than any sorrow we will ever know!

Comfort is all around us. Reach out and get some comfort and hope today! --Clara Hinton

“Even though I feel lost and alone, I know I am not. There is comfort and hope to help me every step of the way!” –C. Hinton

“Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” -Psalm 116:2

We Don't Live in a Perfect World

2010-05-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

In a perfect world, life doesn't hurt. There is no pain. We don't have to shed tears because all is perfect and well. Reality tells us, though, that we don't live in a perfect world. Instead, we do have pain, sorrow, and tragedies that come into our lives quite unexpectedly. Life isn't always fair, and we are left asking that age-old question, "Why?".

I don't think we'll ever answer the "why" question good enough to satisfy us, BUT we can understand that we are not alone in our pain. In this world, there are many sufferers, and we each can learn from one another and gain new strength and hope as we travel this road of grief.

As has been said before, sorrow is a new language that we must learn, and it gives us new eyes in which we view all of life. At first we feel like foreigners struggling to find our way without a map. After a while, though, we begin to struggle less until finally we find a new place to call home, we learn the new language, and we have keener, sharper eyesight in which to view life's beauty.

If you are struggling today in the land of sorrow, hold on and continue putting one foot forward until you find your place of level ground. Trust that as you travel this often lonely path, you will find others along the way who will reach out and help you. They will speak your language, and you will no longer feel alone.

You will be filled with new hope each day until finally your small flicker will turn into a sunbeam of hope that will light the way for you from the dark path of sorrow into the healing light of new-found peace and inner joy!

A thought: "Yes, things are different now, but they will get better! Hope is alive, and will lead the way!" -- Clara Hinton

"Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the sustainer of my soul." --Psalm 54:4

NOTE: It is my sincere hope that you've found a bit of sunshine in these words. Visit often as I continue to all hopeful messages, thoughts, and Scriptures.

Love,
Clara Hinton

Getting through Mother's Day during Child Loss

2010-05-06T07:16:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day will soon be here, and while that day is an awesome day of celebration for some, it is also one of the most painful days of the year to get through for the many mothers who are living with the heartache of child loss.

I have been a mother in grief. Twenty-two years ago on Mother’s Day I was carrying my son who was to be born in July. Instead, I found out that he had died inside of me, and I spent Mother’s Day carrying my little boy knowing that his heart had stopped beating forever. He was delivered “still” on the Thursday following Mother’s Day.

Having “been there”, I can tell you that there is no right or wrong way to approach Mother’s Day when grieving. Do what is best for you, and don’t spend countless hours trying to please others around you. If you want to take a walk among nature to reflect, then do it. If you want to skip family meals and all reminders of Mother’s Day, then do it. And, remember that you don’t owe the world an explanation. This is one time when it’s necessary to be selfish in your actions. You know what is best for you, and this is a time to take care of yourself.

Remembering your child is a very personal thing, and you might find that others will not remember, or if they do remember your child, they might not mention your child by name. Others don’t like to see us cry, so they avoid the obvious. “My child isn’t here, and I’m in pain.” Cry. Journal. Scream. Sleep. Light a candle. Release a balloon. Write a poem in memory of your child. All of these are ways to “get through Mother’s Day” when you are missing your child. Again, this is very personal. Do what is best for YOU to get through.

Lastly, remember that this day will pass. You will make it, and when you do you will have accomplished a big step in your journey we call healing. – Clara Hinton

“My child, I love you, and I always will.” --Clara Hinton

“In the day of my trouble I shall call upon Thee, for Thou wilt answer me.” --Psalm 86:7

Hope is an Amazing, Powerful Strength!

2010-05-03T06:09:00.000-07:00

In our grief, sometimes we feel so isolated and alone that we feel we’ve been singled out. While our grief is unique and is totally ours, we do belong to a family of people traveling that same difficult journey called grief. Many times, we need to remind ourselves of this or we can sink into a hole of despair that is so dark and lonely that we cannot find the light of day.

Grief is unique, but it is also universal. I cannot feel the same intensity of pain as you, but I can offer you encouragement through my pain. We have not been left alone even though there are times in our walking with grief that it feels that way.

How can I cope? How can I get through this day, or even this hour when I feel this alone? It often helps to walk among nature and to see the communion we have with all of life. Soak up the beauty of the flowers and trees and birds, the sky, and all of nature. Our heavenly Father has not left us alone in our darkest hours. He is near, and He will give us rest from the weariness of pain and grief if only we will lean on Him. If He cares for every detail of nature, does He not care more deeply for us?

Hope is an amazing, powerful strength that lies within us. For a while, it lays dormant after a loss, but then slowly our hope is ignited and it grows in proportion to our belief an understanding that we have not been left alone. Hope heals. Hope comforts. Hope helps us look to the future with eyes no longer clothed in tears but with peace! --C. Hinton

“In this life, I am never alone. Hope bathes my heart in peace, and comforts me every hour of every day!” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” --Psalm 23:1-3a

Tidal Waves of Grief

2010-04-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

Grief seems to hit us like a tidal wave at times when we least expect it. We can be plodding along in life "okay" when all of a sudden we get smacked hard with the reality of our loss, and we're left feeling like we're drowning in a sea of sorrow with no life jacket in sight.

Being aware of how grief works is a critical part of our grief journey. Knowing that we can get these "grief attacks" unexpectedly can actually help us to prepare for them. When your tidal wave of grief hits, take some long, deep breaths, and prepare to wait it out. Don't fight it or try to swim against the tide. You will only exhaust yourself both physically and emotionally. Feel the pain with the knowledge that following this storm, the seas will once again return to calm, and

you will have better days ahead.

The pain will begin to subside as you begin to acknowledge the fact that grief attacks are only momentary in nature. The raw part of grief work has already been done, adn you will be able to manage your grief by thinking more calm thoughts, journaling your emotions, taking a walk among nature, and calling on a friend or two for some encouragement.

Did you get hit by a tidal wave today? Take courage in knowing that you're going to make it. Others have walked this path before you and they've made it and you will, too! Your hope is bigger than your fear. Your courage is stronger than your pain. And, your hope is always alive and at work!

A thought: "I will face my pain with courage. I will make it!" -Clara Hinton

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory." --Psalm 84:11

NOTE: It is always my prayer that you've received some much-needed hope and encouragement by visiting this place of hope!

Love,

Clara Hinton

Prayer is an Amazing Avenue of Healing!

2010-04-13T05:50:00.000-07:00

Are you feeling overwhelmed by loss today? Does it feel as though life has abandoned you and you’re all alone in your grief? Have you come to the point of almost wanting to give up?

Hold on! There is hope beyond the grief, and that hope never fails to arrive at just the right moment in your life!

Take a walk alone today and look at the sky, slowly breathe in the air, and feel the breeze brush gently across your face. Hear the whispers of God in all of nature and allow His presence to touch your heart. Feel His nearness and be assured that you have not been left alone in your pain.

Prayer is an amazing avenue of healing because it allows you to talk to the Physician, and the One who truly understands. You can say what’s on your heart and mind without fear of being misrepresented or misunderstood. There is no fear being placed on you when you speak to God in prayer. He listens. He understands. He sends comfort. He is your tender Father who cares.

What is on your heavy heart today? Sadness? Emptiness? Loneliness? Feeling forgotten and misused? Feeling abandoned? Then walk among the fields. Touch the lilies. Catch a butterfly. Allow the raindrops to fall gently across your face, and know that you are never alone! Hope is alive and will continue to grow stronger with each passing day when you open your heart to prayer. – Clara Hinton

“Praying is talking in confidence to the One who cares.” --C. Hinton

“Pray without ceasing.” -- I Thessalonians 5:17

Remembering Happy Times Brings New Hope!

2010-02-26T20:42:00.000-08:00

Any kind of loss is hard. Loss of job. Loss of home. Loss of a beloved pet. Loss of a friendship. Most difficult of all to bear is the loss of a loved one—especially the loss of a child. Children are never supposed to die before their parents!

How does one find hope when all hope seems to be gone? Somewhere on this journey of grief, we begin to remember happy times. At first it’s painful and often seems a bit disrespectful, but eventually those memories bubble up and fill our hearts with joy!

The happy memories become a healing salve to the raw pain that we once felt. Once of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves (and this takes time to reach this point) is to be able to remember the times of laughter and fun shared with our loved one!

Give yourself permission to remember the happy times! When you do remember those times of laughter, fresh hope will flood your soul with healing peace and joy! –Clara Hinton

“I will remember my loved one with joy, and I will feel at peace.”—Clara Hinton

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22

There is Comfort Found in Quiet Time with God

2010-02-16T05:57:00.000-08:00

Hurry, hurry, hurry! Rushing here and there and really getting nowhere seems to be the way we live life when all is normal and well. BUT, when grief strikes the depths of our heart, we suddenly find that a song of a different beat is sung. “Time stands still.”

Quiet times become much harder to handle. Our loneliness seems to shout out to us in the silence and reminds us that nothing is right, and life has been turned upside-down. We grasp for some normalcy of the hustle and bustle of life again, but it doesn’t happen. Not yet. Not when grief is raw and new.

Busy lives are most generally happy lives, but there does come a season when it is good to be still. Sometimes we have to wait out the storm and regroup. We need time and space and even some silence to find that place called our “new normal.”

In the battlefront of our tears and grief, we often find the most comfort from retreating from the hurriedness of life for a while and just being still. Sitting among the solitude of nature is often grief’s most helpful comfort. In the still of the night is the time we can most clearly hear the whisper of our closest Friend, our Father, our Comforter.

Don’t fear the quiet; rather embrace it for a season. Take time to listen for the quiet, yet powerful voice of hope whispering in your ear daily. Hope will eventually take root in the very depths of your heart and grow into a spontaneous, healthy new joy! --Clara Hinton

“Without fear, I will sit quietly for a season in my house of grief until my newfound hope appears.” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” -Psalm 23:1

The Love Holiday

2010-02-11T05:53:00.000-08:00

This week we will celebrate a holiday that is typically known as the “love holiday.” Millions of dollars will be spent on chocolate candies and flowers. The phone lines will be busy all day long making calls to special people. The card shops will be busy with all of the last minute shoppers for Valentine’s Day.

Yet, in the midst of all of this happiness there will be countless people grieving losses and feeling the hollow hole that can only be created by being alone. This day, February 14, will be one that will pass by and so many will feel alone, unloved, and forgotten.

Losing a loved one is a pain that is hard to describe. And, losing a child is a pain that is even more difficult to describe because children are never supposed to die before their parents. But, the sad truth is that every day this type of loss occurs leaving many parents grieving and feeling lost in a world that hardly seems to care.

Let us never forget, no matter what type of loss we are grieving, that we are never alone. God has promised to be by our side, to care for us, and to tenderly provide what we need especially during our times of brokenness.

Every time you look at the intricate markings on a flower or see the sunbeams dancing from heaven, be reminded that your Father made them with great care. Remember, too, that He made you, He knows you, and He has known you since the beginning of time. What a thought! We are never alone or forgotten with God as our Father!

On this special day when love seems to be in the air, sit still and allow God to embrace you with His love. Close your eyes and feel His very presence, and know that all is well with your soul when God is by your side! –C. Hinton

“God is the one and only true love.” --Clara Hinton

“Thou art my hope; O Lord God…..” --Psalm 71:5

Be Still and Listen

2010-02-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

When life comes crashing down on us, the very last thing we want to do is be still. We want to “fix” the problems. We want to do something to make the pain go away. We want to take action now so that we can prevent things from getting any worse.

Yet…..these are the times when we cannot fix things. We cannot make everything go back to how it was before the crises. There are times when an unexpected illness strikes. A relationship is abruptly ended. A loved one dies. And we are left totally broken.

This is when we need to be still. Be still and listen. Be still and wait for our Comforter. Be still and feel the very presence of our Father wrapping His arms around us. Be still and hear to the voice of the One who truly loves us. Be still and allow the seeds of hope to be nurtured back to life.

Are you in pain today? Is your heart aching with loneliness? Take some time away from the everyday activities of life and simply be still. As you are still, you will receive the much-needed replenishment and hope you need to carry your through the day! Be still and be filled with hope! –C. Hinton

“The ember of hope is always glowing within your soul.” C. Hinton

“Be still and know that I am God.” --Psalm 46:10

Trust is Believing When you Cannot See!

2009-11-24T08:18:00.000-08:00

This is the season when we are supposed to be filled with joy and thanksgiving, yet it is so difficult to even say those words during times of painful loss. There is an emptiness that won’t go away, that can’t seem to be filled, and that continually gnaws at the heartstrings letting us know that something is wrong.

Remind yourself often that grief is a very private matter, and it affects all of our relationships with family, friends, and our world. Inwardly we know that there will be a day and a time when we can freely and easily say “thank you,” but maybe that day is not right now. The important thing is to know that there will be a day when you will feel joy and thankfulness again.

A good alternative to thankfulness is trusting……trusting that one day you will feel thankful. Trusting that you will smile again. Trusting that you will laugh with others again. Trusting that you will love again.

There is a seed of inner strength we call hope that is embedded deep within the center of your heart, and in due time that seed will sprout. And, you will know because what is now dark will come alive. What is now sorrow will be joy. What is now pain will be peace. Trust and hope and thankfulness will follow! –C. Hinton

“I will trust when I cannot see.” --Clara Hinton

“But as for me, I trust in Thee, O Lord.” --Psalm 31:14a

Hope Awakens Your Soul and Gives New Strength!

2009-10-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Hope is not a weak sentiment, but it is a robust and vigorous confidence built on knowing that we will get through this trial of loneliness, separation, and grief over our loss. Shipwreck occurs following a loss, but we don’t have to stay that way forever thanks to the assurance of the living hope within us!

If you are feeling alone and lost today, don’t give up! Remember that just as the sun has risen to awaken a new day, so will the hope that is asleep in you be awakened to meet your needs for courage and the will to go on to find your new normal in a world that is now so different for you.

When you begin to falter, surround yourself with nature and fill your heart and soul be renewed with fresh hope! Watch for the evening stars to light up the dark sky, and know that the hope that is abiding in you will light up your darkest night,
also.

Trust. Cast aside fear. Remind yourself often that you are not alone. And, soon you will be filled with new hope to carry you through! --Clara Hinton

“Hope is that heroic step of throwing yourself into total confidence in God.” --Clara Hinton

“And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in Thee.” --Psalm 39:7

When It's Difficult to Say Thank You

2009-08-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

When you woke up this morning, what did you feel? Anger? Pain? Resentment? Bitterness? Emptiness? Fear? All of these emotions and feelings are directly linked to grief and will alter your day considerably. We will no longer be able to see the sunshine when our day begins under the constant hovering of the storm clouds.

Grief is real. It is painful. And, it hurts. But, the good news is that HOPE is also real, and hope is far more powerful than our grief. Hope helps us to feel joy.
Hope brings meaning back to life. And, hope begins the wonderful process of healing.

Try this for the next 30 days and see what happens. Guaranteed if you begin each day by saying “thank you” for something – no matter how small – you will begin to see hope emerge and blossom in your life.

Thank you for my daily food. Thank you for the sunshine. Thank you for a car that works. Thank you for eyes that see. Thank you for feet that help me stand. Thank you for the grass that grows, flowers that bloom, and the stars that light up the evening sky. Eventually, you will
be able to say the most precious words of all, “Thank you for giving me hope.” --Clara Hinton

“When you get to what seems like a hopeless place in your life, hold on a minute longer. It is right at that point that the tide is beginning to turn.” --Clara Hinton

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear.” --Psalm 46:1-2a

It's Okay to Shed Tears

2009-06-10T09:58:00.000-07:00

Grief carries its own set of burdens, and among all of them, we don’t need to deal with the burden of when it is okay to shed tears. It’s okay to cry – anywhere, at any time, and any amount. Allow the tears to flow, and think of them as “healing rain from heaven”, for our tears bring cleansing and comfort. We were designed to cry when we are in pain!!!

Little by little, as we work through some of the most difficult days of pain, our tears will begin to lessen, and the tears that have fallen will now be the life support for the new joy that will begin to sprout from the innermost being of our hearts.

If you are struggling with grief and pain today, remember that your sadness will not last forever. Deep within your being is a seed of HOPE that is being watered daily by your tears! –C. Hinton

“Even in my sorrow, hope holds me in its embrace.” --Clara Hinton

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who
loved us.” -- Romans 8:37

Winter Months Leave Us Longing for Refreshment

2009-06-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

Winter months leave us longing for color and refreshment in our lives. When springtime
finally arrives, we are often in awe of nature and all of the daily miracles that unfold
before our eyes with the changing of brown to green, cold to warm, sticks to leaves, and bitter wind to warm sunshine.

Perhaps more than anything, the changing of seasons gives is HOPE. Hope that our day of darkness will not last forever. Hope that tomorrow is one more step forward in the journey towards healing. Hope that every day is a miracle. Hope that my miracle is waiting to unfold right before my very eyes!

If you are feeling lost in a sea of grief today, please remind yourself that winter does not last forever. Spring does arrive, and when it does, it will bring with it a refreshing new time of nurturing and hope! --Clara Hinton

“Today I will trust that my season of grief will turn into a season of renewed hope, peace, and new found joy.” –C. Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” -Psalm 23:1

Winter Does Not Last Forever!

2009-06-03T02:59:00.000-07:00

Winter months leave us longing for color and refreshment in our lives. When springtime finally arrives, we are often in awe of nature and all of the daily miracles that unfold before our eyes with the changing of brown to green, cold to warm, sticks to leaves, and bitter wind to warm sunshine.

Perhaps more than anything, the changing of seasons gives us HOPE. Hope that our day of darkness will not last forever. Hope that tomorrow is one more step forward in the journey towards healing. Hope that every day is a miracle. Hope that my miracle is waiting to unfold right before my very eyes!

If you are feeling lost in a sea of grief today, please remind yourself that winter does not last forever. Spring does arrive, and when it does, it will bring with it a refreshing new time of nurturing and hope! --Clara Hinton

“Today I will trust that my season of grief will turn into a season of renewed hope, peace, and new found joy.” –C. Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” -Psalm 23:1

Hope is in the Call of the Whippoorwill!

2009-05-18T22:05:00.000-07:00

The sun is shining, but I don’t see it. The air is warm, but I don’t feel it. The food is cooking, but I don’t smell it. I’m in pain, and nobody else acknowledges it.

Those are the words spoken be a broken heart, and sadly that has become the battle cry of millions of fellow sufferers in this new and foreign land called “grief.”

If you are now in this place of grief, only one thing will truly help you to begin to feel healing – and that one thing is HOPE!!!!

Hope is in the call of the whippoorwill echoing across the hills and vales. Hope is seen in the ebb and flow of the ocean waves lapping up to shore. Hope is found in the morning sunrise and the evening sunset. Hope is found in the smile of a stranger walking down the road.

Hope is alive and lives within the heart and soul of every human being. And, somehow hope knows when it is needed most, and will arrive in many different ways to let you know that you are never, ever alone! --Clara Hinton

“For Thou art my HOPE.” --Psalm 71:5a

A New Season of Hope!

2009-04-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

All winter, in most parts of this land, the earth has been barren and cold. Nothing has been growing, and the ground has seemed lifeless. However, during this time, the roots have been gaining nourishment in preparation for the season of spring!!!! Spring is a time when the earth comes alive again and blooms with magnificent beauty!

Allow this thought to break through the chains of distrust that often comes with loss. Remember that the season of sorrow will in time give way to a new season of hope and joy! -Clara Hinton

“Just as I trust the changing of the seasons, I will trust that my winter will turn into spring, my sorrow will turn into joy.” -- Clara Hinton

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles.” --Isaiah 40:31a

Just for Today

2009-04-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

Are you struggling with pain and sorrow today? Does life have you feeling like there is no light at the end of the tunnel? Is your heart feeling broken and hopeless? Then, think on this:

Just for today –
I can face my fears with courage.
I can set aside my worries.
I can think healthy thoughts.
I can read something hopeful.
I can say thank you for one blessing.
I can look to the heavens with awe.

Just for today –
I can remind myself that I am never alone.
I can forgive others and myself.
I can imagine a time when I will feel happy.
I can step out of the darkness and appreciate the sun.
I can count the stars and know that I am counted among them.

Just for today – I can choose to live with hope. – Clara Hinton

“My heart is lifted up when I focus on hope.” -- Clara Hinton

“Let me hear Thy loving kindness in the morning; for I trust in Thee.” -- Psalm 143: 8

I Can Do It -- Just for Today!

2009-04-09T07:52:00.000-07:00

Healing is a Process -- Give Yourself Time!

2009-04-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the beauty of the world seems so terribly painful. It seems all wrong to be able to enjoy the peace and calm of a beautiful sunset. It’s unbearable to visit places that you once loved because your loved one is no longer here to enjoy those sights and sounds with you. The fragrances of spring become like a stabbing pain because the one you loved to share these experiences with is gone. Life loses its beauty when we are in the deep pit of grief.

There will come a day, though, when you can look at a flower and see its beauty. You will watch the setting sun and feel calm and peace clear through to your soul. You will no longer have guilt for enjoying the beauty of this life because you trust that the one you love is in better hands than ours. You allow yourself the freedom to experience joy minus any guilt because you know that your loved one would want exactly that for you – to know the beauty of this world and to feel at peace with all of life. – Clara Hinton

“Healing from grief is a process and it happens one step at a time. The journey is slow at times, but you will arrive!” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” --Psalms 34:18

Never Give Up on Hope!

2009-02-23T20:37:00.000-08:00

When grief hits, it hits hard and can leave us feeling very alone and without joy. Nothing tastes or looks right, and it’s next to impossible to find somebody who comes close to understanding. We feel lost.

Don’t give up hope! Deep inside of you is far more strength than you ever imagined possible. There is a wellspring of hope that is within your heart, and that hope will be released at moments when you need it most. Pay attention to the small nudges you receive. You will get many of these nudges throughout the day. Pull out an old project and finish it. Call a friend and make a coffee date. Clear away some clutter from your desk. Work outside for an hour taking in the smell of the fresh air. Return a book to the library.

While you are acting on those nudges, you will be receiving hope in many different forms. Contact with people. Contact with nature. Exercise. And, most of all getting your mind in tune with the beauty of life once again. Pay attention – your nudge of hope is here! – C. Hinton

“When I grieve, I become part of the human family.” --C. Hinton

“On the day I called Thou didst answer me; Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul.” --Psalm 138:3

Hope Restores Our Soul!

2009-01-01T08:21:00.000-08:00

Waking up with a smile on your heart is a near impossibility when you are experiencing the raw pain of grief. When you wake up, the feeling you get is that of a sinking spirit. The feeling that lets you know almost immediately that something is not right. In fact, that sick feeling you get in your stomach lets you know that your entire world has been invaded by an enemy we call death, and the world as you once knew it no longer exists. Grief, in its raw stage, robs us of all joy.

God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that we each would go through the lonely pain of losing someone we love. That is why He has surrounded us with so many visible assurances of His love and presence in our lives. We can see His mighty power in the rolling of the ocean waves and in the tide that comes rushing into shore. We see His love proclaimed every time there is a sunrise and sunset. We can be assured of His control over the seasons we pass through in our lives when we see new life pushing through the cold soil to usher in spring and all of its newness and beauty.

God is everywhere and is our partner through everything we endure. When we are feeling our lowest, it’s important to anchor onto God and His promises. His love is the only thing that will not change and will not leave. He endures forever and walks by our side always. He lifts us up when we fall, and He carries us when we are too weak to travel this journey we call grief alone.

Don’t be afraid to talk to God. He is with you right at this very moment. He’s our Friend – the one who will not ever leave our side. Call on Him and you will have a listening ear. Look to the heavens and be reminded that death is not the end for those who have gone on before. Death is a new beginning. It is a place where all fear, hatred, sin, and pain cannot exist.

Our grieving hearts will one day be filled with hope that overflows. When we keep looking to God for our daily strength and hope, great things will begin to happen. We will no longer feel alone, and we will cry tears of sorrow rather than tears of regret and bitterness. Hope restores our soul and gives us the strength to go on!--Clara Hinton

“When we look to the heavens, hope appears.” --Clara Hinton

“Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live.” --Psalm 116:2

Finding the Courage to Mourn

2009-01-01T08:16:00.000-08:00

It is a new year, but often the pain of past problems continues to plague your heart and brings lingering grief. Just because the date on the calendar changes does not mean that the pain in your heart will change. So, how do you gain “Hope for the Day”? How can your heart feel comforted?

To mourn is to be comforted. That sounds like something very strange, but there is truth in that teaching. To mourn is to be comforted. Mourning is not enjoyable. Mourning is not fun. Mourning hurts. If we had the choice, mourning would never be a part of our lives. But, to mourn is to be comforted.

When you find the courage to mourn – to really and truly feel your pain and share it – you will begin to notice that changes within your heart begin to take place. When the pain is released it leaves room for hope to begin doing its job. When you “let go” of your pain, you can begin to feel the heavy weight of mourning be lifted. Through your mourning, you will be shown the path to peace.

Be encouraged today! As your tears fall, know that they are being caught by the loving arms of your Savior. Know that you have angels unaware surrounding you to give you comfort. Know that your hope is much larger than your pain! --Clara Hinton

“I don’t understand everything there is to know about mourning, but I do know that I will see a day when the sun will be shining once again!” --Clara Hinton

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” –Matt. 5:4

Listen to the Whisper of God!

2008-12-30T20:52:00.000-08:00

It’s the end of another year and so many thoughts go swirling through our minds. For many, it has been a difficult year – job loss, loss of friends, loss of a home, loss of health, and possibly one of the most lasting losses of all – the loss of a child. For some there will be no celebration at the end of the year – only a lot of tears for those dreams that were stolen away so unexpectedly.

How does a person move on? How can a person move into the New Year with joy when so much sorrow surrounds the heart? It’s not easy, but it helps to remind yourself often that you are never, ever alone in your pain. There are times when we feel alone, but the truth is that we are surrounded by hope and it is there for us whenever we call out for help.

Look at nature in any season and be reminded of the One who is in charge. Look at the majesty of the starry sky at night and know that you are counted among the stars. Listen to the sounds of the wind rustling through the trees and hear the whisper of God letting you know He is by your side. Look for the rainbow painting the sky and be assured that you have not been forgotten. Remind yourself often that hope is stronger than your pain! –Clara Hinton

“For every tear you cry, there is a seed of hope being watered.” --Clara Hinton

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me.” --Psalm 61:a

Trust, Wait, Hope! Your Day of Joy is Coming!

2008-12-15T02:52:00.000-08:00

There is so much dismal talk about the economy, the sad state of affairs of the family, new illnesses being discovered weekly……..that it leaves a person feeling so discouraged and hopeless. Then, when the blow of the death of a child hits, it seems like the pain of this life is almost too much to bear.

Please remind yourself often that you have a Shepherd watching over you and He will never leave you alone. Your pain does not go unnoticed. In fact, every hair on your head is numbered. You are held close to the bosom of God – even when it doesn’t feel that way.

Look at the mighty heavens and remember who made them. Watch the babbling brook and remember who is in control. Cast away fear and be comforted by the fact that you are not alone. Others have walked your difficult, lonely path and are here to tell you that you will make it!!!!

There will be a day when something or someone will awaken the hope inside of you and you will know that you are going to feel life once again. There will be a day when you will rediscover joy, and it will be doubly sweet because you will see with new eyes and feel with a new heart. Trust. Wait. Hope! Your day of peace and joy is coming! --Clara Hinton

“My heart feels gratitude when I am filled with hope.” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” --Psalm 23:1

We Have Been Given the Promise of Hope!

2008-09-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

Why do things happen as they do? Why are jobs lost? Why are relationships broken? Why do children get involved in drugs? Why do people have to suffer through painful illnesses? Why are children taken from us?

I won’t pretend that I can give you the answers to these mind-boggling questions. What you’re faced with right now is way too big, too overwhelming, too personal for anyone to step in and say they have the answers.

I can tell you this for a fact, though. You are not alone. God is alive, and He proves it over and over again by leaving His signature in all of life. Look to the mountains and see His majesty. Look to nature and feel His creation. Look into the eyes of a loved one and feel His breath of life.

We have been given the promise of hope, and of knowing that we are never alone. We are provided just the right amount of love, of faith, and of hope to carry us through the darkest times of our lives. Turn to Him. Trust Him. Listen to Him as He whispers words of love and strength to us every day. You can make it, and you will make it! Hope is alive and will carry your through! -- Clara Hinton

“Every new dawn delivers new hope.” --Clara Hinton

“To Thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in Thee I trust.” -- Psalm 25:1

Hope Knows There Will Be A Better Tomorrow

2008-09-22T05:40:00.000-07:00

Has life been a series of ups and downs lately? Have you been tossed to and fro in the sea of grief and feel like there is no way out of the churning waters? If so, then you are in need of some rest and replenishment. You are in need of some encouragement and a reminder of the sincere promise that there is joy beyond grief. You are in need of hope.

Hope is not pretending that there’s never any sorrow. It knows that our sorrows will not be this deep tomorrow. It’s knowing that we do have an inner strength to call on to help hold us together until our sorrow finds its proper place in our hearts where it also allows room for love, joy, and peace to abide. Hope knows that there will be a day when we will feel alive once again.

Look to the heavens and be filled with awe as you take in the majesty of nature. Look at the tiny butterfly fluttering around and understand that he is a reminder of hope and a new day. Look at the changing seasons and be reminded that every season has its place, and spring will arrive once
again. Be assured that you have not been left alone! --C. Hinton

“Claim a miracle just for you today and rest in the fact that hope is alive.” --Clara Hinton

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” –Isaiah 40:31

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

2008-09-18T22:21:00.000-07:00

When despondency creeps in and you feel like there is no way out of the dismal state that you’re in, it’s time to stop and look about you. Take in the sights and sounds of nature and be reminded Who made the earth and all that is within it. Remind yourself that every creature, both great and small, has meaning and is genuinely loved and cared for by his Creator. That means you, too!

Many times we fall into a state of feeling hopeless because our hearts hurt so much that we cannot ever imagine life without pain. Take time to reflect on past joys and remind yourself often of the rainbow. It is a promise of hope from our heavenly Father. Think of the butterfly that emerges out of the dark cocoon at exactly the right moment. Remind yourself that hope is stronger than your fear.

I, like you, have gone through times of despair and darkness in my own life. To help me remember that I have a loving Father who watches over me, I began planting and caring for flowers. I also photograph those flowers and scenes from nature and as I look at those pictures, I am reminded that hope is alive! Place visual reminders of hope all around you, and when you do you will feel your heart replenished and filled with new hope! --Clara Hinton

“A picture is worth a thousand words, so choose your pictures wisely.” --Clara Hinton

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” --John 14:27

Your Father is Always Watching Over You!

2008-09-12T22:24:00.000-07:00

Has life let you down? Are you feeling alone in your pain? Do the clouds seem to remain hovering above your head like a constant threat of another impending storm? If so, then you are walking this path we call grief. It can be a long, hard walk, but……….the good news is that for every step you take, you are one step closer to finding a place of peace and rest and comfort in this “new normal” that you now must live.

Nature has beautiful displays of hope and inspiration that have been placed on this earth for us to use for comfort, shelter, and inspiration. There are trees that have been weather-beaten, yet they remain standing tall. There are flowers that have been stepped on, yet they bounce back. There are seeds that have been dropped and forgotten about, but they take root and bloom.

Remember that you, unlike the forgotten seed, have a Father watching over you who will never leave you alone. You have a special strength planted deep within your soul known as “hope” that will never leave you. Take time today to reflect on nature and feel the peace that overrides your sadness. Take a moment every day to allow your heart, mind, and eyes to soak up some of nature’s beauty and be encouraged. There is joy beyond this day of loss. There is peace to be found. There is a very special gift waiting for you. There is hope. –Clara Hinton

“A day with nature is a day of hope.” --Clara Hinton

“In quietness and trust is your strength.” --Isaiah 30:15b

The Winter of Loss Will Not Last Forever!

2008-08-27T22:29:00.000-07:00

Part of the beauty of nature is found in the changing seasons. We know without a doubt that spring always follows winter, and with spring comes the indescribable beauty and joy of the plush green grass, springtime flowers in bloom, and the humming of birds. During the winter months, we anxiously await the coming of spring because we know with absolute assurance that spring will arrive.

And, so it is when we go through the winters in our lives. Following the cold, dark loneliness of winter that we experience when we go through loss, we can look with full assurance to the months ahead knowing that at just the right moment and in just the right way springtime will arrive. And, with spring will come new meaning, new peace, and a new sense of the beauty of life.

Can we extend the same trust in our loss that we extend to the knowledge of the arrival of spring? Can we watch the flowers blooming in spring and wait for the flowers to bloom in the garden of our heart once again? Can we trust saying an earthly good-bye to our loved ones knowing that they will still continue to be present with us and continue to love us? Can we rest in the knowledge that our love will continue to grow because we are grounded in faith and hope?

The winter of loss will not last forever. Hold on to the hope that your season of spring is soon to come! -Clara Hinton

“In the changing of the seasons, I find new hope.” -- Clara Hinton

“ There is an appointed time for everything. And, there is a time for every event under the heaven……….a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” Jer. 3:1, 4

With Hope, There is a New Tomorrow!

2008-07-14T08:55:00.000-07:00

Nobody knows exactly what you’re going through when grief hits your heart. They may say they know, but that’s impossible. But, I know with full assurance that we have examples of others who have traveled this lonely, difficult path we call grief, and they have come through the tunnel and they do see light again. And, you can do it, too!

I don’t have all of the answers; in fact, nobody does. Loss is far too difficult to understand, and the depth of pain we feel can’t be explained by words alone.
We “feel” pain, and that can’t be found in the dictionary. But, there are signs of healing that we can see that are visible and real.

Did you notice the sun come up this morning? Did you watch the leaves gently swaying in the breeze? Did you look at your food and know that it was going to taste good? Did you choose your clothes with care when you dressed today? Did you look at the sky and compliment the blue? These are all signs that hope is penetrating your heart and you are going to make it!

With hope, you will bear this difficult time, and you will rise to a new tomorrow! No, you’ll never be exactly the same, but you will be a “new you”, and that you will include joy and purpose! –Clara Hinton

“Every new day is a promise of a new beginning.” --C. Hinton

“In quietness and trust is your strength.” --Isaiah 30:15b

There is Light at the End of the Tunnel!

2008-07-07T22:56:00.000-07:00

Even during the sunniest days, it can feel like the middle of winter when we are experiencing grief and loss. We don’t understand all of the emotional changes, but we know that we feel terrible. Nothing seems right because everything is so new and different. Loss brings about so many changes!

One of the most helpful things we can do when going through that period of adjusting to a new normal is to give permission to feel the pain. Allow the tears to fall knowing that the pain you’re feeling today won’t always be this intense.

There is light at the end of the tunnel. There is a rainbow following the storm. Summer always arrives after winter. A caterpillar emerges from the cocoon as a beautiful butterfly. Hope will replace your sorrow, and when it does you will be able to smile again!

Tomorrow is a new day with new hope. Tomorrow brings the promise of a sunbeam. You will soon be able to hear the distant sound of the songbird chirping his happy melody. Hope cannot be snuffed out. It lives on forever, and hope will find you, too! --Clara Hinton

“Hope is the heart that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.” --Clara Hinton

“Cease striving and know that I am God.” --Psalm 46:10

Winter Does Not Last Forever!

2008-06-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

“The sun is shining, there are sounds of joy all around, yet I do not feel spring in my heart. Instead there is the lingering cold of winter and I don’t know what to do about it.” Any person going through grief and loss has expressed those very words. Grief is a lonely word and it puts you on a journey to a lonely land – for a while.

The good news is that this feeling of winter does not last forever! God, in His infinite wisdom, has provided HOPE for us when traveling this difficult path. Hope comes to us in ways too numerous to count, and comes in the most surprising ways to provide comfort and hope to our hurting hearts.

The butterfly that you saw was bringing you a message that there is a new life waiting for you. Give it time to emerge. The rainbow brings promises of blue skies and the truth that this storm will not last forever. The robin brings tidings of spring – assurance that winter will end and flowers will soon bloom!

Today if you feel afraid and lonely, take a step back and look at nature – God’s gift to us. Nature doesn’t worry, nor does it remain in a state of cold bleakness. Nature sprouts forth new life, new joy, and a promise of a glorious array of splendor for you to enjoy! Hope assures us of that!Your spring is coming, and when it does, it will be wonderful! --C. Hinton

“Hope helps me remember how to live.” --Clara Hinton

“But Thou, O Lord, art a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts my head.” --Psalm 3:3

Robert Frost Said It Best

2008-04-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

Robert Frost said it best when he penned, “The sun was warm but the wind was chill. You know how it is with an April day when the sun is out and the wind is still. You’re one month on in the middle of May. But, if you so much as dare to speak, a cloud comes over the sunlit arch, a wind comes off a frozen peak, and you’re two months back in the middle of March.”

So it is with grieving. One moment we are feeling good, being warmed by the sunshine of life. We are active and happy and humming a happy melody that’s coming from our heart. Then, without warning, the storm clouds roll in and suddenly we find ourselves in the middle of bad weather. We are seeking shelter from the storm, and we feel cold, afraid, and so alone.

These sudden steps back into grief will not always be so intense, and the spells of grief will grow farther and farther apart. We won’t linger as long on our grief, and we’ll feel more in control of what is happening.

We will probably never be totally free of the bad weather storm clouds of grief, but neither would we want to be because those periods of longing are really those times that keep us connected with the one we love.

As for those times when we leap into happy moments? I remember the joy I felt watching the vibrant colors of the rainbow following my storm! --Clara Hinton

“Hope is what we count on when the storm clouds hover nearby. Hope gives us the strength to hold on! –C. Hinton

“And now, Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in Thee.” – Psalm 39:7

When Someone We Love Dies, We have a New Relationship with the World!

2008-02-25T10:03:00.000-08:00

When someone we love is snatched away from us by death, we often wonder, “Is there ever going to be any relief from this pain? Is there any place that I can go to find some relief from the loneliness? Will I ever feel like smiling again?”

What we long for the most is for our world to return back to how it used to be. We miss the sounds, the smells, the laughter, the activities that now seem so far away. We wish that we had never taken life for granted, and we long to savor those moments that we once had. We miss life as it used to be!

Deep within our heart, we know that the world as we once knew it no longer exits. Our grief experience has changed our world, not just for today, but forever. Yet, we continue trying to remember. We keep trying to make things as they were. We keep praying that something will happen to give us back that same joy, those same experiences…………..we wish and we hope, but we know that can never be.

Little by little we grow braver in facing our new life, and we realize that we now have a new relationship with the one who has died. And, we have a new relationship with the world, as well as with ourselves. We realize we are no longer in the past, but we have come face-to-face with making a choice to keep moving in the only direction that is an option of us – forward. We slowly move forward into new territory, a new land, and new place and we do so with an inner strength called HOPE. And, deep inside our soul, we know we’ll make it! --Clara Hinton

“I will wait for the light to break through the darkness because I know that eventually the clouds will part.” --Clara Hinton

“I waited patiently for the Lord, and ………He put a new song in my mouth.” - Psalm 40: 1a and 3 a

Are You Tired of Feeling Tired?

2008-02-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

Are you tired of feeling tired? Are you waiting for the next piece of bad news to hit? Do you feel like the storm is never going to pass? Has life hurt you so much that you’re too afraid to let go and try to feel again? If you answered “yes”, then you are in the middle of a full-blown grief attack.

Grief comes at us with a vengeance, and it immobilizes us for a while. We don’t know what to think – sometimes we don’t even know how to think. We don’t know who to call on that can really listen and understand. We’re all mixed up and we know that life is terribly off-balance and will never feel the same again. So………what do we do?

When you are in the black hole of despair, it is so important that you lift your eyes upward toward the heavens. After all, that’s where you can find light. There are displays of power and strength all around us, and that’s what we need when we are feeling battered and bruised from the battle fatigue of grief.

We may not know we have it until we’re deep into the race, but we do have the inner strength to get through the dark days of grief. That strength is called hope. HOPE. Hope gives us the strength to peek into the future with a new view. It helps us to hold on when all sense tells us to give up. It helps us to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It helps us to not give up.

When the load feels far too heavy to carry, lay it down and rest. Rest today. Rest tomorrow. Rest the next day. And, as you rest, your hope will build up inside until it can carry you through! -- Clara Hinton

“Hope is that invisible force that keeps us strong when we feel like all strength is gone.” -- Clara Hinton

“Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk by my side.” --Psalm 23: 3 (The Message)

Faith is Believing Your Rainbow Will Appear!

2008-02-04T09:58:00.000-08:00

Sometimes things happen to us that cause us to ask, “Why, God?” and all we can do is look to Him in faith. We don’t understand. We can’t understand. We get no answers that seem to fit the pain that we are going through. And, so we hold on. We hold on tight, hoping and praying that we’ll make it through just one more lonely night.

Nobody really has the answers – at least not the ones we’re looking for. Not the answers we want so desperately to hear. There is no easy way out of pain. It takes courage and stamina to withstand the daily drain – the reminders, the regrets, the agony of losing what is precious to us. Yet……we still hold on. We know that God is sovereign and He is still in charge, even when our world is spinning out of control.

We may not know we have it until we are well into the race, but when we find the strength to go on, we begin to understand that inner strength. It is called hope. Hope meets our greatest needs and keeps us going when our own strength fails.

Hold on. Don’t give up. Believe that your rainbow will appear because it surely will! --Clara Hinton

“Hope is believing when nothing at all makes sense.” --Clara Hinton

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” - Psalm 91:1

Trust in God's Promises!

2008-01-22T22:49:00.000-08:00

Are you afraid right now? Does your heart feel heavy and broken? Do you feel like you’ve lost your very best friend and you have no one who truly understands you?
Do not spend anxious moments worrying and being afraid to face each new day. If you stop and get very quiet and still you will feel the very presence of God within you.

As you come to those dark places in your life, just reach out for the hand of the Shepherd, and He will take you under His wing and give you protection and help during the storm.

God promises to take care of your soul and to give you replenishment. He said He will take you to a cool, sheltered place where you can rest. And, no matter how steep the hill or the mountain, you never have to climb it alone.

Hope is believing in what you cannot see and trusting when all else tells you to stop. You have a Shepherd, and He will never, ever leave you. Rest in the arms of your Father and your soul will find nourishment.

You will gather strength from everyday things….a smile, a warm hello, thoughts from friends and loved ones. God is near, and hope is alive. You will make it! --Clara Hinton

“Rely on hope because it will keep you steady and strong during the storms of life.” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Hope Helps Us to See Beauty!

2008-01-07T20:59:00.000-08:00

“When will I get relief?” “Will this empty feeling ever go away?” “Am I ever going to get over this loss?” What we’re really trying to say is, “I wish this never happened, and I want to turn back the clock and go back to how things were before this loss.”

But, the world as we once knew it no longer exists. Our grief experience has changed life as we once knew it forever. We now live in a new place, and it’s up to us to work very hard to find a new normal. Yet, we still keep on trying to turn the clock back. We keep wishing and hoping and remembering. The pain feels like it is just too much!

Little by little, though, hope begins filtering in through the cracks in our heart and brain, and we realize that even though our world is now totally different, we must find a way to go on. We begin to establish new traditions, find new ways to place peace in our souls, and we realize that we really aren’t alone at all.

Hope pushes us forward even when we feel like we can’t go on. Hope helps us to see the beauty in small things such as a smile, a babbling brook, or a gentle snowfall. We understand more fully how to cherish the small moments in life, and we are so thankful for every ray of sunshine
that touches our heart. Hope is alive, and hope teaches us how to live again! --Clara Hinton

“A hopeful heart is a peace-filled heart.” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord of hosts is with us.” -- Psalm 46:7

Happy New Year - a Time of Reflection

2007-12-31T09:55:00.000-08:00

The end of a year brings a lot of reflection, and often is a time of setting goals and renewed hope. For the person that has suffered great losses, though, this can be a time of painful reminders of all that has been lost. The words “Happy New Year” have an off-tone ring for the person who is grieving.

As we reflect and look back, it is always good to take time to remember the many ways that God has been by our side and given us an anchor to hold onto when we’ve felt like we were lost and floating out to sea. God’s love is never changing, and He remains faithful in His promises to us.

Look to the stars and see the darkness of evening wrapped in the twinkling light. Wake up and look to the heavens to see the faithfulness of a new day being ushered in. Take a deep breath and feel the air filling your lungs with new energy. Rest your weary head upon your pillow and allow your guardian angels to watch over you. Feel the peace that only God can give as you allow Him to touch your heart with new hope.

This is the end of the old year, and the beginning of a new one. Let us hold fast to the hope that God is faithful, and He has a special blessing chosen for us every day of the coming new year! --Clara Hinton

“Every day miracle waiting to unfold!” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Don't be Afraid to Face the Holidays!

2007-12-17T20:30:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is here, and for many this is a time of special family gatherings, festive occasions, and getting together for meals and laughter. For others, though, this is a season of sadness, tears, and sorrow. When a loved one is no longer with us, we feel the emptiness even more during those special days called “family days.”

Gathering the strength to get through the holidays can be difficult. At times, we feel overwhelmed and so lonely that we think we will not be able to make it through the day. A tear falling from our heart stains every minute of the day and night.

God, in His infinite wisdom, seems to know exactly the right moment to place hope in our lives. He knows when we need to hear His voice whispering in our ear that He loves us. He knows when to send the rainbow to paint the sky so that we will be reminded of His promises. He knows when to give us rest from our heavy burdens by sending a friend to give us a strong shoulder and a listening ear. He knows when to give our weary souls rest from the heaviness of grief by sending the bright sunshine to warm our souls.

Don’t worry about facing the holidays alone because you have a Friend that is always with you. He is your Father, your Shepherd, and your Friend. His promises are true, and he cannot leave you because you are made in His image. And, above all else, He is your hope! --Clara Hinton

“There is relief from this wound we call grief, and that relief is hope!” --Clara Hinton

“Cease striving, and know that I am God.” --Psalm 46:10

Comfort and Peace Will Arrive!

2007-12-10T08:46:00.000-08:00

When the clouds are hanging heavy above us like huge billows of tears ready to fall, we often become afraid that we will never see the light of the bright sunshine again. Loss takes so much away from us that we fear the sun is dying, too.

During the winter of our lives, we live in anticipation of those moments when we will be welcomed into a safe, warm haven and feel secure. We long for our tired bodies to get some rest from the heavy burdens of grief we’ve been carrying, and we yearn for the feelings of loneliness to go away. We want to taste the sweetness of life again, but we fear that the day of joy will never return.

The predictability of the changing seasons becomes part of our hope that we will taste laughter and abundance in our lives. Our season of comfort and peace will arrive, and we will be able to feel the warmth of sunshine comforting our soul. Friends will engage in lively conversation with us, and we will know that we are not alone. There will be a day when the clouds part and the bright, blue sky appears with the sun’s light giving new hope to our soul.

Look to the heavens. Gaze at the stars. Take in a breath of fresh air, and be filled with new hope! --Clara Hinton

“A little bit of hope added to what you’ve already got is a little bit more, and soon that will equal a whole lot of hope!” --Clara Hinton

“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.” --Psalm 62:5

Giving Thanks in the Midst of Pain

2007-11-19T20:52:00.000-08:00

It’s difficult. It’s very difficult to be thankful when your heart is hurting. It’s difficult to be thankful when you are in the presence of happy, busy people and you feel so sad and alone. Life can be brutally painful when we are expected to say thank you but we cannot even begin to mouth the words.

How can we give thanks in the midst of job loss, illness, broken relationships, and death? How is it possible to thank God, our Father, when we have been pummeled by the storms of life? How does a heavy heart find the strength to look heavenward and say, “Thank you” during moments of doubt?

We can only say thank you when we understand who our Father is. We can only feel peace when we are aware of the blessing of hope. We can only whisper words of praise when we understand that the pain will not last forever.

We have a Father watching over us, and He has promised to be faithful and never leave us. He has given us the blessings of the sunrise and the sunset, the starry skies, and the changing seasons. He also knows when we need our heart to be held, and right at that moment He sends help to carry us through.

Who is your help today? The kind voice of a friend. A strong shoulder to lean on. A person to hold us close and dry our tears. The warm sunshine against our face. The rainbow painting the heavens with splendor.

Yes, even at the deepest point of our pain, God assures us that He is near, and we can face the day with hope! –C. Hinton

“A day without hope is a day without sunshine.” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” --Psalm 23:1

You Are Never Alone!

2007-10-15T08:02:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it feels like there is no end to the problems and pain that come along each day. Bills piled up. Trips to the doctor. Broken relationships. Depression. Feeling all alone. The death of a loved one. Wandering through life without any real purpose at all.

There are times when it seems like nothing makes any sense. It is during those mixed up moments when we have nothing but questions that we need to remind ourselves Who is in charge. We have not been left alone in this world. We have a loving Father that cares. His thoughts are far above our thoughts, and His wisdom is far beyond ours.

Hold on. Just when you think all hope is gone, someone or something will come into your life to remind you that you are not forgotten. A butterfly landing on your arm. A calm voice saying, “I’m your friend, and I will listen.” The moon shining to light a darkened path. The beautiful sunrise. The far off sounds of the birds singing. A rainbow bursting forth with colors following the threatening storm.

You have not been forgotten – not even for one moment. Hold on! Look for your special sign. Hope is near! --Clara Hinton

“Darkness is always followed by a glorious sunrise.” --C. Hinton

“The very hairs of your head are all numbered, therefore do not fear; you are of more value than the many sparrows.” -- Matthew 10: 30-31

From Ashes to Hope!

2007-09-11T08:07:00.000-07:00

May we take this special time to reflect on the many losses that took place on September 11, 2001 and the way so many have risen from the ashes to a place of hope.

This has been a six-year journey, and will continue to be a journey for thousands upon thousands of people who lost loved ones on that tragic day in history. Life has gone on, but it will never be the same. As individuals we have been made aware of the way tragedy and death can strike when we least expect it. We also are made aware that people truly do care, and when hearts are bound together by compassion the flame of hope is ignited and gives us the strength to go on.

Many, many lives have been lost since that dark day in September. There may not have been headlines in the news, and reporters probably were not knocking at the homes of those who experienced loss in anticipation of “getting a story.” Instead, many have endured the pain and hardship of loss quietly, and often feeling very alone.

May we never, ever forget that we have a heavenly Father who watches over us day and night. He never leaves us alone. He is always there, calling out to us to come to Him so that we can be embraced in the shelter of His arms. We are told that we have angels watching over us, and that is such a comfort during our times of pain. We have wondrous signs of God’s love all about us as we look at the expanse of the heavens and see first-hand the care He gives to the tiniest of creatures.

May we always feel the closeness of God. May we rest in the arms of our loving Father and allow Him to carry us when we feel too weak to go on. Hope is alive! God is good, and He truly cares! God is waiting in the depths of my being to speak to me if only I will be still enough to hear His loving, tender voice! --Clara Hinton

“I am never alone because God abides in me.” --Clara Hinton

“Be still, and know that I am God.” --Psalm 46:10

Facing the Future with Hope

2007-08-20T07:30:00.000-07:00

When loss comes into our lives, dreams are snatched away and we are left wondering how to face the future. We feel like we’ve been thrown into a deep, dark hole with no way out. Loneliness becomes our only companion, and we lose all interest in the daily routine of life. The very things that used to occupy our time and bring us pleasure no longer have any significance at all.

Grieving is hard work, and it takes lots of time to travel our journey of grief. There is no road map to follow, so we don’t know when the next bend or twist in the road is coming. We can’t tell where there are steep hills or flat terrain. When we seem to be traveling along okay, suddenly we find that we’ve hit a mountain that seems almost like it’s impossible to climb. Grief is new, unexplored territory.

There is some amazing about our grief journey, though. It’s hard to explain; yet it happens all of the time. A rainbow appears out of nowhere and gives us hope. A butterfly lights upon our windowsill and we find ourselves smiling. A meal appears on our table from a neighbor and we suddenly feel less alone. An invitation to dinner comes and we feel loved. The telephone rings and we have a much needed listening ear.

God never allows us to travel this journey of grief alone. He sees to it that we have help all along the way. He gives us rest when we are weary, and hope when we feel lost. Just knowing that we have this added inner strength keeps us going until one day we find that we are no longer in that lonely hole, but we are sitting among the flowers and we can once again see beauty in life! --Clara Hinton

“Hope is the friendly, unexpected voice pulling us back to a warmer world.” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” --Psalm 23:1

Grief Makes Us Feel So Alone

2007-08-06T06:54:00.000-07:00

Grief is such a universal experience, yet when it happens to us we feel so alone. Even when members of a family share the very same loss, each person feels the loss at a different level, and in a very personal way.

Our grief may be in common, but it is private as well. Our grief is our pain, and nobody experiences it in just the same way. It helps to remember that when we’re walking down the pathway of grief we are never alone even though it often feels that way.

There will be a time when we find solace and hope, but it will be different for everyone. Nobody experiences our loss the same, and nobody finds hope and comfort at the same time or in the same way.

What helps, though, is to remember that our day of peace will arrive, and when it does, it will be like having a big weight lifted off of our heart, and a new song placed in our heart for us to enjoy. No, we’ll never feel the same after a loss, but we will find relief, peace, and comfort. Hope will place a smile upon our heart as we continue on this journey we call life.

Hope allows us to look at today and enjoy the beauty of it, without worrying about the future. Hope gives us the strength for one day at a time, and slowly we find that the future has arrived and we are living it with a new strength and renewed sense of life that we didn’t have before. Hope gives us a reason to go on! --Clara Hinton

“It is comforting to know that God always provides hope as a companion to pain.” --Clara Hinton

“Faith is being…..certain of what we do not see.” Heb. 11:1

Grief is an Emotional Roller Coaster

2007-07-02T08:26:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the emotional roller coaster that we feel with grief seems like it’s never going to end. One day we’re okay, then two days later we’re immobilized with the ache in our heart caused from loss. There’s no real explanation, but we know what we’re feeling is powerful and real and all we want to do is escape to a place that feels good again.

It helps to remember that our emotions are like waves. They wash over us, and each time a bit more of our sorrow is removed, washed away, and sent out to sea. The emotions keep returning – coming and going – until one day we find that these painful feelings have weakened. They no longer overcome us and leave us feeling like we are totally out of control.

When we feel like the deep sea of grief is never going to calm, remember that each wave is a necessary part of the process. Each wave is, in fact, working to help bring some healing.

We cannot avoid the pain that comes with grief, but we can understand it better, and when we do we realize that this pain will not last forever. Joy will eventually enter the center of our heart until one day we will be able to smile once again! -- Clara Hinton

“When the sea of grief washes over me, I am being bathed in new hope for the journey ahead.” -- Clara Hinton

“I will turn all my mountains into roads.” Isaiah 49:11

Spring is a Season of Hope

2007-04-30T06:12:00.000-07:00

When your heart feels heavy from the burden of grief, it is good to seek out reminders that the gift of hope is alive within us. One of the best reminders of hope is the season of spring.

When you are weary from grief, take a rest outside by a babbling brook, or sit for a while under the starry sky. Spend a few moments watching the butterflies at play as they flit to and fro enjoying the gifts of nature. Listen to the sounds of the birds in the far off distance singing their songs of cheer as they glide through the early morning sky.

Take a close look at the blade of grass as it is pushing its way through the soil and be reminded that following every winter there is a spring. With spring comes the freshness of a new season. There are colorful bursts of flowers, sunrises that will take your breath away, and magical moments of serenity that will fill your soul with peace that can only come from our heavenly Father.

Grief continually presents us with all kinds of reasons to be lonely and afraid. But spring presents us with gifts of hope to carry us through our pain and fear. Embrace every moment of springtime and be filled with hope! -Clara Hinton

“Springtime erases all doubts that God is near and has not left me alone in my grief and fear.” --Clara Hinton

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” -Psalm 19:1

Breaking Away from the Darkness

2007-04-22T06:09:00.000-07:00

When our lives are suddenly hit by grief, we are thrown into a space of nothingness. It seems like the curtains have been drawn shut, and no light can get in. Our world is suddenly frightening, lonely, and full of darkness. We feel isolated, and we have no clue how to break out of this new place that is called grief.

There is really nothing one can say about grief except that it is a pain that hurts like nothing else. It is a feeling that makes everything around us seem out of synch and nothing seems right. Grief places demands on our emotional, physical, and spiritual energy to the point of exhaustion clear to the core of our soul. We are in need of help. We are in need of hope!

What can sustain us through long periods of grief? What helps us not to be totally crushed? Often we are not even aware of help when it comes to tenderly care for us. Hope arrives on the scene immediately and begins to lovingly give us reminders that we are not alone, and that we will make it through this pain and break free of darkness.

Along with special hugs and smiles from friends, God sends us His special reminders every day. He gives us the bright sunshine to warm our souls. He sends us the stars at night to guide us through the darkness. He gives us the babbling brook to remind us of His word that quenches our thirst. He gives us flowers that bloom to give our landscape of life a burst of majestic color. He gives us hope to take away our darkness! --Clara Hinton

“When God is in me, my darkness leaves.” --Clara Hinton

“The Lord is my light…..” Psalm 27:1 a

Giving Thanks in All Things

2007-04-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

Did you ever wonder why “giving thanks in all things” has been put in the bible? I’m sure that I’m not the only one who has struggled with that portion of Scripture. In fact, I know that I’m not the only one.

Most of us can be thankful when the tide is flowing in our direction, when the sun is shining upon our face, and when all good things are coming our way. But, when our lives are shattered, battered, and tattered, it’s another story. The words “thank you” don’t even come to mind, much less come from our lips. Yet……………we are told that it’s good and right for us to give thanks always.

When grief enters the door of our heart, we often speak a foreign language for a long time. We cry tears of pain and loneliness, and our hearts ache so bad that we cannot even think, let alone speak. The only utterances that come from us are groans of pain. The emptiness that we feel cannot be described. How can we give thanks?

I am convinced that God understands our hearts when they are full of grief, and He allows us to feel the pain, walk the journey, and come back to Him in order than we might once again say “thank you” for the blessings of life, for the miracles found in each day, and for the hope of heaven.

If you are struggling in your walk today, and cannot say “thank you”, don’t allow the additional burden of guilt to weigh you down. God knows you, He knows your heart, and He loves you. He will instill within you enough hope to carry you to a place of thankfulness in time. For today, rest in His arms, and allow His love to warm your broken heart, and feel His peace. –Clara Hinton

“Every day contains the gift of hope.” --C. Hinton

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

How Do You Explain a Broken Heart?

2007-02-26T08:05:00.000-08:00

Grief is such a difficult thing to explain with words. How do you tell somebody what a broken heart feels like? How can you explain the feeling of emptiness that echoes like a hollow hole? How can you ever explain the constant gnawing that overrides every thought you have day and night reminding you of your loss? Grief. It’s something that really is not able to be understood completely unless you’ve gone through it.

Life following loss feels as though we have been placed in a foreign land and we cannot speak the language. We try hard, but nobody understands. They speak another language— that of happiness and joy. Our words consist of sorrow and pain. We feel as though we’re not going to make it in this new place, and we long for nothing more than to go back to how things were before our loss. Yet, we know that’s not even remotely possible.

Hope is something that crosses over all borders and travels into every land. Hope can find the tiniest crack and begin to take root and grow. And, when hope anchors to an empty heart, it begins to fill in the holes and we begin to feel like we are no longer strangers in a foreign land. Hope gives us a reason to go on when all logic tells us that we can’t.

God has given us an abundance of hope that surrounds us every day to provide healing when we feel so alone and lost. The sun, the moon, and the stars all point in the direction of God, the Father of all. The ocean and the miracles that lie below the sea remind us that God is always in control. We are not alone, nor have we been forgotten. And, the best part of all is that hope arrives at just the moment when it is needed most! --Clara Hinton

“Hope refreshes the weary soul.” --Clara Hinton

“Do not fear, I will help you.” --Isaiah 41:13b

Hope is a Seed that is Planted in Everyone!

2007-02-19T07:14:00.000-08:00

When we are walking the pathway of loss, it often feels like we’re walking all alone. Everyone around us seems to be happy and carefree and surrounded by friends and laughter. The pain of loss turns our world upside down for a while and takes away our clarity of vision. We see things through tear-stained eyes and we feel things through a heart that has been broken. Nothing feels or looks right, and loneliness temporarily sets us apart from everyone.

Hope is a seed that has been planted in the heart of each and every individual. Hope lies hidden during times when life is moving alone at a strong, happy pace, but when we begin to falter and feel like life has lost its meaning, hope comes to the surface and helps us to go on.

Hope arrives at just the right moment and in just the right way. God has planned it that way. A comforting smile that seems to let us know that joy will return. The warmth of the sunshine against our cold, lonely heart reminds us that friendship will once again give us warmth and comfort. The evening stars that light up the sky remind us that we are never walking the path of sorrow and grief alone. There is always a light to help guide us along the way.

Hope is our link to our heavenly Father. Hope reminds us that we are never alone. Hope reassures us that there is joy in the future. Hope gives us a reason to go on! --C. Hinton

“Better times are ahead, so hold on!” --Clara Hinton

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” --Romans 15:13

Spending Valentine's Day Alone

2007-02-11T22:47:00.000-08:00

This week we will celebrate a holiday that is typically known as the “love holiday.” Millions of dollars will be spent on chocolate candies and flowers. The phone lines will be busy all day long making calls to special people. The card shops will be busy with all of the last minute shoppers for Valentine’s Day.

Yet, in the midst of all of this happiness there will be countless people grieving losses and feeling the hollow hole that can only be created by being alone. This day, February 14, will be one that will pass by and so many will feel alone, unloved, and forgotten.

Losing a loved one is a pain that is hard to describe. And, losing a child is a pain that is even more difficult to describe because children are never supposed to die before their parents. But, the sad truth is that every day this type of loss occurs leaving many parents grieving and feeling lost in a world that hardly seems to care.

Let us never forget, no matter what type of loss we are grieving, that we are never alone. God has promised to be by our side, to care for us, and to tenderly provide what we need especially during our times of brokenness.

Every time you look at the intricate markings on a flower or see the sunbeams dancing from heaven, be reminded that your Father made them with great care. Remember, too, that He made you, He knows you, and He has known you since the beginning of time. What a thought! We are never alone or forgotten with God as our Father!

On this special day when love seems to be in the air, sit still and allow God to embrace you with His love. Close your eyes and feel His very presence, and know that all is well with your soul when God is by your side! –Clara Hinton

“God is the one and only true love.” --Clara Hinton

“Thou art my hope; O Lord God…..” --Psalm 71:5

Grief Does Strange Things to Us!

2007-02-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

Grief does such strange things to our moods. One minute we can be busy and happy and thinking only about positive things. Then, at the passing of a second, our mood can change and we are out of sorts with the entire world. We can’t stand being around anyone, and we are certain that nobody in the entire universe cares about us. Grief seems to play with our minds and our emotions, and we feel out of control, alone, and afraid.

Grief is like the invisible visitor that is always hiding in the background ready to pounce on us when we least expect it. Maybe it’s a certain song that plays on the radio that triggers grief. Perhaps it’s that little boy smell that we miss so much. Maybe it’s the smell that comes following a soft, gentle rain that reminds us of playful times splashing in the mud puddles with our little one. Grief is tricky because we can never predict when it will pay us a visit.

There is no sure-fire way to make grief go away, but it helps to do all that we can to give us some extra strength when the unwanted visitor appears. We need to constantly be filling our minds with hopeful thoughts. Before we go to bed each night and when we wake up each morning it helps to remember that each new day is a miracle. In fact, every day is a special gift to us that is waiting for us to enjoy.

We are never alone, even though there are times when loneliness overcomes us. All we have to do is look at the sky and be reminded that there is a star shining just for us. When we feel the warm rays of sunshine against our face we know that God is mighty and much more powerful than our unwelcome guest called grief. We are never alone; hope surrounds us always! God’s love is tender enough to hold us when we are weary, and strong enough to carry us when we feel we cannot go on. Lean on Him, listen to Him, and call to Him often. He will see us through! --Clara Hinton

“When we have hope, we can make it through anything!” – C. Hinton

“He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge.” --Psalm 91:4a

Hope is Alive!

2007-01-29T20:45:00.000-08:00

Today is a brand new day, yet when our hearts are hurting nothing seems to feel right. The thrill of unwrapping the gifts of a new day isn’t there, and our hearts seem to fill with only loneliness and pain. We are left wondering when we will get our enthusiasm back for life. When will our joy return? When will we be filled with a song in our heart?

Grief is a hard word to say, and it is even more difficult to understand. When grief knocks on the door of our heart we know it is there because we can feel the raw pain that so suddenly overtook us. However, grief leaves us very slowly and we often don’t realize that our unwelcome guest is inching its way out of the door of our heart until is has been replaced by the wonderful blessing of hope.

Every time we look at a butterfly or the colors of a rainbow, we take one step closer to hope. Each time we feel the warmth of the sunshine upon our face, we grow closer to recognizing the miracle of a brand new day. For every flower that we see bloom, we push aside one sad thought and allow space for a bright, new thought of hope to visit our heart.

Grief is a difficult journey, but we have not been left alone. God has placed his signature of hope in the morning sky, in the twinkling of the evening stars, and in every soft whisper of the wind He has given us the assurance of His love by showing us all of His creation. He is our Shepherd, and we are His sheep. His tender care will carry us through every dark valley into the green pastures where we will find rest and replenishment.

Hope is alive, and every day we are receiving the gift of hope. One day we will wake up with a song on our heart and we will know for sure that hope has arrived! --Clara Hinton

“When I look to the heavens my heart remembers that God is a mighty God, and He loves me forever.” --Clara Hinton

“I have written your name on my hand.” --Isaiah 49:16

Every Sunrise is a Gift of Hope

2007-01-08T20:17:00.000-08:00

Will today be the day that the clouds of despair begin to lift? Every time we are greeted by a new sunrise, we are given the gift of new hope. We never know exactly when that special smile or kind word will be sent our way, but we can be certain that it will arrive at just the right moment to help ease the pain of our broken heart.

When grief becomes part of our lives, we are suddenly living in a world that seems lonely and barren. There is nothing at all that looks, smells, feels, tastes, or sounds familiar. We find ourselves wandering in circles, not knowing where we are going. All we know is that we want to go back to that place in life where things felt safe, happy, and secure. Yet, we know that we can’t.

God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us a universal language that can be understood by all. It is the language of love, and can be spoken and understood by everyone. When we are grieving, though, we often don’t hear anything that is spoken because our hearts are too heavy to listen. That’s why God gave us very real symbols of His love.

Listen to the peaceful sound of the babbling brook and feel the gentle touch of God’s love. Smell the fresh air following a soft rain and understand that you will be renewed following the falling of your tears. Watch the clouds part to display the rainbow following a storm and be reminded of the promises of God. Watch the lips of a stranger passing by form a smile and you will feel the warmth of someone who cares.

Every time your heart is touched by God’s love, a bit more hope grows within your heart until one day you will find you are no longer a stranger in a foreign land. Instead, you are a beautiful flower blooming among a field of many wonderful friends. Hope has made you alive again! –Clara Hinton

“When your heart is touched by God’s love, hope grows.” –C. Hinton

“Thou art my hope.” --Psalm 71:5a

Every New Sunrise is a Gift of Hope!

2007-01-01T19:19:00.000-08:00

A brand new year has arrived! For many, this is an exciting time of setting new goals and looking forward to the coming year with enthusiasm and the anticipation of having the best year ever!

Reality often settles in very shortly after the New Year, though, serving as a reminder that last year’s bills are still unpaid, the health diagnosis has not changed, and the broken relationship has not been restored. Unresolved grief issues loom heavily on the heart, and the joy of the New Year quickly disappears instead ushering in waves of loneliness, discouragement, and fear.

Rather than thinking in big terms such as an entire year, it helps to chunk life down into measurable moments that are not so overwhelming. We can be joyful for one hour. We can be filled with hopeful anticipation for one day. We can be thankful for our blessings this moment.

Thinking in smaller segments of time helps the grieving heart to cope with today’s pain and gives enough energy to wake up feeling ready to tackle one more day. A grieving heart needs time to find the rainbow. A heart that feels lost needs time to catch the shimmering star shining through the dark night. A heart that is lonely needs time to change focus in order to see the miracle found in the daily sunrise.

Be patient with yourself, and approach this New Year one day at a time. Look for signs of springtime following the harsh, cold winter. Watch for the rainbow that spreads its array of colors across the sky. Listen to the sounds of nature and know that God is near.

Remind yourself daily that you have not entered the unknown territory of this New Year alone. Your heavenly Father is right by your side taking care of your every need! –Clara Hinton

“Every new sunrise is a gift of hope just for you.” --C. Hinton

“My hope is in Thee.” --Psalm 39:7b

When the Unexplainable Happens

2006-12-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes things happen in our lives that are so hard to understand. A car accident that takes a life. A house fire that destroys everything. A healthy, active person that suddenly becomes ill with a terminal disease. The company downsizes and many jobs are lost, yours included. Your world comes to a screeching halt when your child dies.

There are no words to explain such painful circumstances. It takes lots of faith to work through the days of lost dreams, unrest, and brokenness. When the world you once knew suddenly becomes foreign territory, it’s hard to stay focused and look to the future with hope.

God, in His wisdom and love, knew that we would need reminders of His presence with us during our moments of despair. We have only to look at the rainbow stretching across the expanse of the heavens to know that His promises are still true. When we watch the stars twinkling in the moonlit sky we can feel His presence in our darkest hour. When only our tears will fall, we can look at the morning sun breaking through the clouds and know that soon our tears will be dried.

God is our Father, and even though we don’t always understand the pain that comes into our lives, we can trust Him to pull us close and give us shelter through the storm. God is a deeply personal Father and Friend, and He will bless us individually according to our needs.

Hope is alive within the heart of everyone, and is awakened right at the exact moment when we need it most. That is a promise we can count on! -- Clara Hinton

“Sometimes it takes a lot of rain before we see the rainbow. Don’t give up! Your rainbow is there!” --Clara Hinton

“We walk by faith, not by sight.” II Corinthians 5:7

Hope is Alive!

2006-11-27T20:23:00.000-08:00

Sometimes all we want to know is when the lonely ache of loss is going to go away. We never knew that anything could hurt this deep and this long, and we seek answers to find some relief. How will I know when I am beginning to find some healing? What can I do today to make this pain feel better? How do I get back my zest for living? When will the world feel like a safe, happy place again?

Loss changes everything about our “normal” in an instant. Suddenly our world feels upside down and out of control. Our thoughts race, but they only fall into a dark tunnel of fear and loneliness. Nothing seems to fit any more. The pain of loss is everywhere.

There is no easy way to explain how healing takes place except by saying that when the seeds of hope begin to sprout, life begins to once again have meaning. Hope is not pretending that there isn’t any sorrow. Rather, hope is calling on that inner strength that is part of each of us to sustain us until we gradually find happiness again.

There is strength found in everyday things . . . . . smiles, kind words, the warm rays of sunshine, the listening ear of a friend. Even the far away sounds of the songbird whistling a thankful tune can begin to unleash that inner strength found in hope.

Be assured that hope is alive, and it is gently tending to the needs of your heart. The day will arrive when you will know that joy has filled your soul once again! --Clara Hinton

“Hope always arrives on time with a special song for the heart.” --Clara Hinton

“For I hope in Thee, O Lord; Thou wilt answer, O Lord, my God.” --Psalm 38:15

Thanksgiving Day -- How to say "Thank You" when in Pain

2006-11-20T08:26:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is focused on giving God thanks for all of our many blessings. This is a family oriented holiday, and one where most families take time out to gather around the table, bow their heads, and speak gracious words of praise and thanks for all of the abundance we have in our lives.

The reality of life is that on this Thanksgiving Day many people will suffer some of the greatest pain known to all of mankind. Loneliness. Depression. Isolation. Rejection. Broken relationships. Job loss. Hunger. Mental, physical, and emotional fatigue. And, the worst pain of all – the loss of a loved one. Not everyone will be able to sincerely say “thank you” for the abundance of blessings when going through the heavy trials of life.

As we approach Thanksgiving Day, may our hearts be constantly reminded that we have not been left alone in our sorrow. We have only to fix our gaze on the rising of the sun to know that God is right beside us ushering in each new day. As we listen to the babbling brook we can hear His voice gently calming our broken spirit with reminders that His strength is mightier than any problem.

Being thankful during times of pain is not easy, yet it can be done. It must be done in order to experience the peace that is beyond all human understanding. Often, it is in our brokenness that we can feel God’s personal touch in our lives. What a blessing to know that He cares. What a comfort to close our eyes at the end of each day and know with full assurance that God is holding us close! -- C. Hinton

“Thankfulness is a by-product of hope.” --Clara Hinton

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -- Romans 8:38-39