Hope

There has been a stirring in my spirit lately regarding authenticity, removing masks, encouraging others to do the same, and providing a safe environment for them to do so.  This is also part of the heart of my husband's band, Longing For Eden.  The songs that the band members have written tell their stories of abuse, addictions, loss and brokenness, but more importantly, of the hope that they found when they encountered the living God and His abounding grace.  These stories have not been easy to tell, and some stories yet to come are taking a lot of courage to be able to share, but we are all discovering how much our stories are speaking to people.  Last night at the end of a concert, one of the band members told me that he was approached by a man who opened up and shared that he had struggled with an addiction to pornography, and how one of the songs spoke to him about the impact that his struggle had on his wife, and that the song had also touched her deeply.  Another person that we are acquainted with approached my husband and said, "All I knew was that you were a pastor.  I thought you had it all together.  I had no idea..."  He was stunned to hear my husband's story of struggling to believe that God really loved him, and the message of grace that settled the issue for him.  I really believe that as we open up and share our stories, that life and hope will be imparted and those who hear them in turn will be able to share that hope with others as their lives are changed.