Letters to My Younger Self: Hoping Hannah
Dear Younger Self,
Don’t worry, GOD is faithful!
I am sorry Mama died. I am sorry that she died when you were so young, but don’t worry GOD is with you through it all and His presence will be evident every step of the way. GOD is going to bless you with faithful women to surround you, they will provide that ‘Mama’ figure that you need.
I know you’re mischievous and such a daydreamer, GOD is going to provide you with a way of escape from all the trials and storms of life, remember though, each choice you make matters and carries consequences, so choose wisely, don’t stop dreaming. Our GOD, the Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, is not distant, I really want you to understand and hold on to this, He is closer than you think, even when things are at their worst.
He is closer than you think, even when things are at their worst
Thank you for answering GOD’s call, thank you for accepting that invitation to go to the Youth Conference. It is the start of great things that GOD has in store for you. You will come to realise and understand that GOD is the giver of every good and perfect gift, yes including a handsome baby boy!
You won’t believe it yourself but, you are going to go into ministry, yes you, serving GOD and His people; Grandma will rejoice and Mama would be shocked but realise that the GOD we serve, is a GOD of amazing surprises and grace. My prayer for you is that you will open yourself to experience the strength that GOD alone can give and will give you along the journey.
My days are dark,
Overwhelmed by the thoughts of my mind.
I sink into the shell of my despair,
Not knowing how to resurface back into the LIGHT.
Righteous Father, your Word gives me LIGHT.
As You reach out to me in the darkness of my despair,
Help the eyes of my heart to be opened to the truth of Your LIGHT.
In the middle of a sleepless and restless night, I wrote the words that you see above. That night I was brought back to the cold December morning, you were sitting on the edge of the bed crying because you had just been told that Mama died around 3am in a hospital. You were so distressed and inconsolable and now I understand the pain in your heart.
I remember well, in the depths of my despair, I could not articulate with clarity the words that I needed to say to describe how I was feeling. You will have days when clouds are thick and the challenge seems so formidable and almost impossible that you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.
However,
However, during the storms of life, you will be reminded of the promises of Jesus. You will be blessed with faith and where there is faith, there is hope. Your faith will be sustained by the promises of a faithful GOD. Jesus says:
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So, don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT).
You will learn to put your hope and trust in GOD, who understands all that you go through; the betrayals will come, there will be lies said about you, unkind criticisms are there in the mix too, the oppression, including the despair and distresses that come along with the storms of life.
But GOD’s grace will be sufficient for you today, tomorrow, and always, to enable you to stand firm and put your hope in Him during the storms of life. The Holy Spirit is going to be your best friend and you are getting stronger with each trial and storm because you are not on your own. You are going to enjoy a life of blessing, full of mercy, grace, love, and forgiveness. Praises to GOD will continually be on your lips for the miracles and extraordinary things He has done in your life to keep you safe.
My little friend do not worry; GOD is faithful!
I’ve got to pen off now but really look forward to writing to you again.
Yours truly, love always,
Your older friend, Hoping Hannah.
PS: You will still have a love relationship with chocolate.
Hoping Hannah
I am a young at heart, 40+ lady of faith. I enjoy walking, bird watching, listening to soft music and cooking. I volunteer with different organisations working with people who sometimes find life difficult and just need a helping hand to get back on their feet.
“A big thank you Hannah for sharing. It was really encouraging to read that even in your tragic loss, you found comfort and hope in your faith.”
Dear reader,
What is the one thing you would tell your younger self? - Let us know in the comments section.”
Nathan L. McGuire