Family life is dynamic. One moment can be amazing and literally the next moment can be defeating. The term “Hope Relentless” came about almost a decade ago for our family. We experienced the death of three people in my, Sarah-Gayle’s, family of origin, we had two young children, and were navigating through questions of purpose, career and growing a marriage. In light of it all, the world was literally losing its mind in social media wars about race, politics and every other pressing issue of humanity it seemed. To be honest, I felt depleted and disappointed. This was “adulting” I guessed.
Then it happened. God met me. Suddenly, in the midst of deep discouragement I felt peace and a conviction rose up in me that changed me. It was a conviction that no matter what I saw with my eyes in the world and even in myself that was unsettling, I would have hope for better because God was bigger. As a result, my hope would be relentless no matter what. From that point on I was determined to speak hope over family life. Families need hope. There are so many different seasons and stages we go through as families and often we go through them blind, without positive examples or mentors coming alongside us. The potential of family life often stays just that, potential. To be honest many of us are just tired and need some relief.
My hope will be relentless in equipping families to live the good life. Not the pursuit of a "perfect life" that leads to every disorder there is, rather an authentic life filled with love, forgiveness, purpose, goals and dreams. Saturated in HOPE! Family life can be one of the sweetest things we get to experience this side of eternity, but we cannot go at it alone and we don't have to go at it alone.
What would it feel like to plan family experiences that make unforgettable memories? What would it look like to create common goals together as a family, grow in communication and make an impact in our communities? To even leave a legacy? I believe this is the call on family life. Not just to exist and go from day to day becoming more exhausted the more we "try." But to live our day to day tapped into a source that never goes empty. A source that shows us perspective and ignites joy, forgiveness and every good thing that makes family life fulfilling. That source is Jesus.
As we are intentional in faith and action, we can grow into families of substance and strength, that can speak hope into other families. How refreshing it is when we can lift one another up, carry each other’s burdens and encourage one another to carry on in authenticity and hope. Family life can be what we make it. I remember being terrified after we had our first son and were leaving from the hospital. I could not believe they were letting us take home such a small delicate human. They didn't give us a manual or a test to show we were prepared. Needless to say, we picked up some things along the way. And such is the picture of sweet family life. We won't know all the answers but we can grow in them, together. There is beauty in living and learning. As we do, may our hope be RELENTLESS!
Love, Chad & SG
Then it happened. God met me. Suddenly, in the midst of deep discouragement I felt peace and a conviction rose up in me that changed me. It was a conviction that no matter what I saw with my eyes in the world and even in myself that was unsettling, I would have hope for better because God was bigger. As a result, my hope would be relentless no matter what. From that point on I was determined to speak hope over family life. Families need hope. There are so many different seasons and stages we go through as families and often we go through them blind, without positive examples or mentors coming alongside us. The potential of family life often stays just that, potential. To be honest many of us are just tired and need some relief.
My hope will be relentless in equipping families to live the good life. Not the pursuit of a "perfect life" that leads to every disorder there is, rather an authentic life filled with love, forgiveness, purpose, goals and dreams. Saturated in HOPE! Family life can be one of the sweetest things we get to experience this side of eternity, but we cannot go at it alone and we don't have to go at it alone.
What would it feel like to plan family experiences that make unforgettable memories? What would it look like to create common goals together as a family, grow in communication and make an impact in our communities? To even leave a legacy? I believe this is the call on family life. Not just to exist and go from day to day becoming more exhausted the more we "try." But to live our day to day tapped into a source that never goes empty. A source that shows us perspective and ignites joy, forgiveness and every good thing that makes family life fulfilling. That source is Jesus.
As we are intentional in faith and action, we can grow into families of substance and strength, that can speak hope into other families. How refreshing it is when we can lift one another up, carry each other’s burdens and encourage one another to carry on in authenticity and hope. Family life can be what we make it. I remember being terrified after we had our first son and were leaving from the hospital. I could not believe they were letting us take home such a small delicate human. They didn't give us a manual or a test to show we were prepared. Needless to say, we picked up some things along the way. And such is the picture of sweet family life. We won't know all the answers but we can grow in them, together. There is beauty in living and learning. As we do, may our hope be RELENTLESS!
Love, Chad & SG