Substance of Hope 

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen. 

We thank you for hope today. May the love of who you are be stored in our hearts. Anchored so closely that we are bound by hope, faith and belief in your never-ending miracles Father. Help us know you are peace when we speak to you Father. Help us know you are at work, even when it feels like our hearts are breaking. It is all working out for our good. This is our prayer today. In Jesus name. Amen 

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A sick child, without a diagnosis. An unexpected urgent care visit, not one. However, two urgent care visits, with one culminating into an emergency room visit. That emergency room visit culminates into a three-day hospital stay. The release from the hospital, not home for three hours, changes to an ambulance ride, back to a different hospital. An overnight observation, that turned into pain management medication. This was the week for my family. More achingly for my heart, this was the week I experienced with my 12-year-old son. Without a diagnosis and numerous missed days of school we awaited more tests and appointments to help figure out the cause of him not being able to move and walk while in the throes of constant ache and pain always at the maximum on the pain scale. 

The substance of hope, for me during this time was the goodness of not having a diagnosis or foundation for what he was experiencing in his body. You see, not having a diagnosis gave me hope that it was not terminal, and it could be fixed. Not having a diagnosis gave me substance of hope that at any moment, the pain could dissipate. Not having a diagnosis gave me substance of hope, that it was not that bad. Not having a diagnosis gave me hope that this trouble would not last always.  

Currently, there was no evidence to indicate otherwise, and I was ever so grateful and thankful. Grateful and thankful that with my faith, we still had an opportunity for a good report of restoration of full health. Thankful to God for faith that allows us to have hope and believe in those things that we do not have evidence and cannot see.  

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Father, thank you for faith today, the substance of hope. Faith to speak of who you are in our lives to others. Faith to know that you never leave us. And are always there directing, leading, and guiding us in this life. Helping us through the mountain tops, valleys, and curves that come our way as we take this journey. We are ever so grateful and thankful. In Jesus name. Amen.