I'm not a "broken mom" anymore. When I first started this blog, it was to get some thoughts out about my own heartaches. I felt really broken then, but now I'm changing that name. I am reminded of what Paul the apostle said in 2 Cor. 4:6-10. "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed."

"God is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ".  Every problem we encounter is an opportunity for God to show his greatness and glory in our everyday lives, as it says in verse 7. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves." It is in our problems that we encounter the greatness of God. It is in our problems that we realize that it isn't about us--it's about God. It is in our problems that we are able to see that God really is powerful and great!

"We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing." Isn't that such a different way of handling stress than what we see in the world around us? Perplexed. Yes. Sometimes I don't know what to do, or what to say. Despairing? No. There is a greater plan being worked out here. Many of you who have stopped by to say an encouraging word have testified to this in your own lives.

I haven't gone through anything like what Paul the apostle went through when he was penning these verses. He was truly persecuted for his faith. I haven't experienced anything like that. That doesn't mean the solution for my problems is any different.

"Therefore we do not lose heart". Paul said the three greatest things are faith, hope and love. We hear a lot about faith and love, but very little about hope. Yet, I believe that hope is the act of looking ahead to the end of "right now". Hope carries us to look forward to  that which faith and love are producing. In the end, we know that God is making it all work together for our good.

I was not broken--and now I am hoping in the eternal God who loves to show His greatness and power in our lives.