Hope is a word we are all familiar with in our daily lives, but for me is a word I hold close to my heart.
To give you some information for my little story, our church, Church of the Highlands, provides a shopping experience each year for several families during December. This day is filled with the opportunity for parents to shop for toys for their children and for us to spread Gods word to each family. These toys have been donated by members of the church; each item is purchased appropriately for each age and gender for the families chosen to participate on this day. This whole experience is referred to as “Giving Hope”.
Rewind a bit to August two years ago, this was our first year attending Church of the Highlands and my husband and I were in full swing of deciding to grow our family from two to more! By this time we were feeling defeated, this thing that was supposed to “just happen”- wasn’t. We had just begun 21 Days of Prayer, this was new to me but I felt the need to just lay everything down at God’s feet, not just us possibly becoming parents but everything. I began to focus on being happy for others beginning their journey into parenthood. This was something I hadn’t done in such a long time because each time something was posted on social media or someone told me their news, I lost a bit of my heart. How could I be happy for them if I couldn’t become a mother myself? I was learning so much about patience, guidance, and most of all HOPE. Hope was something I had completely lost and something I needed most.
After months of this heartbreaking journey, it was now November and we were moving into our last “chance” at becoming parents. On this day it all hit me like a ton of bricks and as I lay on our bathroom floor sobbing, I screamed out “Lord Please Give Me HOPE!, if not for a baby, for the ability to have hope that everything is going to work out in your will… Lord Give Me HOPE… that’s all I ask.” November began to roll into December like a blur and as many know when the holidays begin you just work your way through dodging the hard questions and smiling away as though nothing was wrong. We were so busy, but one Sunday they announced “Giving Hope” packets were available to pick up. I knew that was for us, we would sponsor a child, giving them a chance for a wonderful Christmas as if they were our own.
Two weeks later I had a doctor’s appointment, a check up to confirm or deny a pregnancy, and needed to drop off the presents for my Giving Hope child. I went to the appointment and they were shorthanded so instead of an immediate result, they said they would call me to let me know the result of the blood work. I knew the answer already, same as every other time… I just knew… negative. I held my head up high as I pulled in the Grants Mill Church of the Highlands parking lot, ready to deliver the toys. I parked, got out of my car, opened the trunk-smiled, and grabbed the packages. My phone rang and my heart began to beat rapidly, it was the doctor’s office. I asked myself, “Do I answer now or wait to let them leave the dreaded message?”
This phone call could change my life forever. Would we become parents or would this be the end of our journey? Again, I prayed, Lord, Give me HOPE. I decided to answer. I remember every word that was said with exception of the nurses’ name.
Me: Hello…
Nurse: Yes is this Kimberly
Me: It is
Nurse: I have the results of your blood work today
Me: ok
Nurse: The blood work was positive, you’re pregnant
Me: what! are you serious!?
Nurse: yes congratulations, you’re pregnant
Me: no really are you serious! thank you so much
And then after formalities and such, the call ended…….
This call the one I had been waiting for my whole life (well majority), the result I prayed for Hope for, I received in the parking lot of my Church home while preparing to deliver my gifts for “GIVING HOPE”!!!! I was giving hope to another family and through these few months receiving hope myself. Coincidence, I think not, answered prayers, I think yes! Everything fell into place once I gave Him everything, focused on other things other than my self-pity. Was this all easy, no way! Is it still easy, no way! Did I stop thinking about this happening or give up trying, no! I share this story today during this very hard season for so many. Though every story doesn’t end exactly like ours did, there is hope in every story. The key is to figure out what that hope will be for you. Find the joy in the every day, be happy for others, enjoy family, and help others- that was my hope and what I kept my eyes on. Through Church of the Highlands, I was able to find my hope once I focused on Knowing God once again.
Where would my life be if I hadn’t refocused, recommitted to knowing Him… miserable that is where! I thank God every day I was able to pull myself from that pit of misery. I thank God daily that He placed Sunnie into my life randomly at the gym to lead me to Church of the Highlands.
Kimberly Mummert
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Kimberly’s story not only is a miracle but a story of hope, even when it was really difficult. I will never forget the day Kimberly called me to share the good news. We had been praying alongside them, and God not only gave them a baby, but He gave them twins, a little boy, and a little girl.
The times hope becomes easily lost are the times we lose perspective. Remembering that God is in it all and through it all, reminds us that there is a larger picture- His purpose. Sometimes we understand His purpose for our lives, and other times we do not. But whatever the answer may be, God has a really good plan ahead, and it’s so much better than what we could have planned for ourselves.
Out of all Sundays, this past Sunday, Pastor Chris taught on….you guessed it- hope. I loved the sermon so much, I wanted to share some of Pastor Chris’ sermon with you, too!
“Hope: A confident expectation built on something solid.”
“For most people, Hope is something that they do. For Christians, Hope is something that we have.”
5 Ways God Gives You Hope:
- God’s Presence- Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Psalm 62:5
- God’s Promise- My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 119:81
- God’s Process- through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:2-4
- God’s Purpose- For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
- God’s Place-People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:14-16.
If you want to hear more from this sermon, you can view it here.
Was there a time in your life when you needed hope, if so, where did you find it?
Anonymous says
So precious Kimberly! He is our God of Hope!
Angie says
Thank you for sharing your testimony and your blessings! Love you, sweet girl!!!
Sunnie Cotton says
Angie, thank you for reading Kimberly’s story!
Jamie Wassum says
How wonderful!! What cuties!!
JoAnn says
Love it! To God be the glory!
Sunnie Cotton says
Yes and amen!