I Hope

Written on Easter after being Diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma:

I hope.

I hope your past doesn’t haunt you.

                That the chains won’t entangle, strangle, or hold you.

I hope that true strength would be awakened in you.

                Not fake, self-reliant strength.

You’re beautiful—truly.

                And I hope you realize that age can’t touch that,

                That make-up doesn’t give you true beauty,

                That clothes are just… clothes…

                Because you. are. beautiful.

I hope your plans will be interrupted,

                That you come to the end of yourself,

                That you have nowhere else to look, but up.

I hope.

I hope you realize that this is not out my own storage of strength.

I hope you understand how short time is.

                Not enough time for grudges, bitterness, anger.

Therefore: I hope you get shaken to your core.

                I hope you realize that you don’t have real control.

                                That the one who is in control wants your total surrender.

I hope you suffer for the Lord,

        And that you suffer well.
I hope.

I hope.

I hope when life crashes down on top of you that you run to Jesus.
I hope you will define success, not by your salary, processions, or status, but by the legacy that you’ll leave for the Lord.

I hope you walk each day well.

Today is Easter;

And so because He has risen; I hope.