Dear Friend,
I’ve lived long enough and through enough to tell you my pain goes deeper and wider than any of the scars on my body. The unseen scars, I believe, hurt the worst.
Every day, I feel braver and closer to sharing my story with you.
But I’m not yet.
Katherine Wolf is beyond brave enough; so let’s meet her.
As 22 year old, fresh newlyweds, Katherine & her husband, Jay, were living in LA. Jay was pursuing a law degree. Katherine was modeling. Sounds pretty great, right? The couple had a son.
But just 6 months later, Katherine suffered a massive brain stem stroke. She shouldn’t be here. But she is. And Katherine is very much alive. Her story didn’t end because life exploded and left her in a wheel chair with facial paralysis and more. Her faith wasn’t lost in the midst either. Neither was her joy lost.
But how? Katherine clings to God and reaches out to teach you and me how to suffer strong.
Suffer strong. Makes me cry and makes me stand a little more upright.
Katherine and her family live in hope and have made more room for God than bitterness (which is probably what I would have chosen).
“God always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial.” 2 Corinthians 1:4
Let the same God who made you, the ocean, the night sky come alongside you and help you through the hurt. But you have to let Him know what’s on your heart and sit with Him a bit too.
“I will give you the treasures of darkness.” Isaiah 45:3
There are treasures to be found. It’s not easy work but if I can do it, you can too. Just because you’ve given up on God doesn’t mean He’s given up on you. Just because you don’t hear Him doesn’t mean God isn’t trying to get your attention, to sit beside you and hold you close. Hope is a scary thing. I get it. But for today, I will be praying for you to reach for it. Reach for hope and believe there is more waiting for you.
“Life defines us.
Suffering redefines us.
Hope refines us."
****You can follow Katherine and Jay on social media @hopeheals, read their books, listen to their podcast and support or attend their camp (see how much MORE there is!!!): Find links to it all on their website hopeheals
