Our Story: Hope

Have you ever met someone that motivates and inspires you? Someone who stays positive and keeps going when things get rough? Many times in our lives we are surrounded by negative people with lackadaisical attitudes. They lack hope. They have forgotten how to dream. It is not often that we find a person who shows us that a dream is more than just wishful thinking. His or her goodness and courage makes our doubts and worries seem small, causing us to reflect on our own weakness. 

I will be the first to admit that when faced with challenges, it is hard to find the motivation to focus on the positive. Even when everything is good, my mind turns towards worry and pessimism. But, my husband has taught me that worry is a misuse of my imagination. I have watched him triumph over life’s struggles again and again. The other day he said to me, “I don’t have much left, but I have will, hope, and desire.”

In hearing my husband dream about wanting to move to the country, it was very easy for me to shoot down his ideas. At times I found myself dismissing them or not truly listening. Many times I would catch myself stealing his hope. He would come at me with such detail and eagerness: “I can’t wait to live in the country. I want horses and chickens. I can’t wait to fish and hunt on my own property. I want lots of land where I can build a legacy for my children and grandchildren. I can’t wait!” My mind always turned to how much I had to do for school the next day. How would we sell our under-water home? How could I leave my job? How could his back possibly handle all that work?

Since arriving in Kentucky, I’ve watched a number of movies about horses. I recently watched Seabiscuit. I was moved by the theme. It’s about a horse who, against the odds, shows his winning abilities and captures the imagination of all those wanting to believe in a dream. While the horse came from noted lineage, he was deemed hopeless. He was mistreated and written off due to numerous injuries. It wasn’t until someone believed in him that he rose from troubled times to achieve success. One of my favorite lines from the movie captures it all: “You don’t throw a whole life away just ‘cause it’s banged up a little bit.”

 

Within a month's time, I have watched James accomplish and fulfill many of his dreams. I am blessed to have this remarkable man in my life. He has taught me to stay positive and keep dreaming. Doubt, pessimism, and adversity will undermine even the strongest of wills. He has taught me that hope is all we have. I pray that you have someone in your life that inspires you and fills you with hope.