FRANKLY SPEAKING (from the heart),

HOPE! She was born an illegitimate child at a time when the world considered those things taboo. In fact, as a baby she was beaten by the man who was not her father. In fear for the baby’s life, her mom put her up for adoption. She lived in an orphanage until she was eight years old. Finally, like the story of ANNIE, a wealthy woman came and adopted her. The little girl went to her new upper-middle class home. Sounds like a fairy tale. Not quite!

This little girl’s adopted mother was extremely controlling. She refused to let her husband spend any time with the little girl even though he showed her nothing but admiration. Whenever the little girl didn’t dry the dishes properly, sit properly, or do exactly as she was told she was locked in a closet for hours. It was an awful life. Not what anyone had HOPED for this little orphan girl…

Due to the brutal beatings as a baby, this little girl was diagnosed with Epilepsy. She experienced repeated Grand Mall Seizures & was given the most powerful drugs available to ease these violent convulsions. When she was finally old enough to work, her mom confiscated every paycheck. Her life continued like this until she was thirty years old. Years later, her life ended due to complications from Alzheimer’s with no memory of the painful life she endured. Surprisingly, her name was HOPE!

You see, that part of the story sounds all too HOPELESS! However, she married and had only one son. He was the joy of her life. Everything she did from that moment on was to be sure that her son had a better life. She was MY mom. I can still remember her banana sandwiches, famous goulash, & thick oatmeal. I still eat oatmeal like porridge because that’s how she made it.

The memory I cherish most is the time she went to church with me. She heard a message of TRUTH that penetrated her soul. She surrendered all that painful baggage to JESUS. Like a child, she let go of all those painful hurts & experiences. I was in high school when she was born-again! THE LORD took away her life of ashes, and gave her beauty & a future fitting her name ~ HOPE!

Living in the Shadow of the Cross…

Blessings in Christ,
Pastor Wes

I Peter 3:15