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Hope is My Anchor
Strength for your soul amid life’s storms September 2003
__________________________________________________________________
Hope doesn’t disappoint? I could hardly believe my eyes as I read these words in
Romans 5 when my husband Dave went on disability three years ago. The hope I
knew did disappoint. Dave’s mysterious symptoms had increased each year of our
marriage until we finally had an answer: late stage Lyme disease.
When Dave left work, confusion and a myriad of neurological problems were setting
in. Every few months Dave would have part of a day where he could talk without
passing out, and he would ask me what was happening to him. Did he still have a job?
Why was he sick? How long had it been this way? And slowly as I revealed the
details I would see him sink back into Lyme land again.
I tried offering just the sketchiest details—was it the stress of reality that chased him
away? But no, it didn’t matter. The reprieve was only a brief window into his soul.
Was that supposed to be hope for me, hope that the Dave I knew still existed and one
day would come back? Or was it a cruel tease, reminding me of what used to be but
might never be again? Every time Dave had a good day, I hoped it was a new
beginning, only to have that desire crushed.
What was this elusive hope that did not disappoint? A hope so strong so as to be
“an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf…” Hebrews 6:19-20a
Slowly over the next two-and-a-half years God began to reveal this hope. It wasn’t
about my current life circumstances, a slippery slope at best to place my trust in. It
wasn’t about whether or not Dave recovered—although I believe God cares infinitely
more than even I do about Dave’s well being.
It was about my heart being tethered to the inner sanctuary, the promise of being
eternally with God, sealed by God’s love poured out into our hearts now.
Can God really be known that personally? I wondered. Yet that’s the whole point
of the inner sanctuary—it was always to be the place God met with man. And now
that place is in our hearts. At times it’s more than I can grasp. When I think on the
infinite holiness of God alongside His accessibility to man through Christ, it’s more than
my finite mind can comprehend.
I may never know why God has allowed Dave to suffer with Lyme, but there is a
question that lures me into His presence day after day. Who is this God who on the
one hand seems to hide Himself, yet on the other desires to be known by us so much
that He gave the precious blood of Jesus to accomplish that goal? How can I know
the one who is Himself the hope that does not disappoint?
This was King David’s longing, the hope now fulfilled, and yet will be fulfilled even
greater in eternity. This is the journey I’m on, to pursue this hope and all that God has
to offer us. Come, let’s gaze upon His beauty and seek Him in His temple.
Gazing on Him,
Merry Marinello
Strength for your soul amid life’s storms September 2003
__________________________________________________________________
Hope doesn’t disappoint? I could hardly believe my eyes as I read these words in
Romans 5 when my husband Dave went on disability three years ago. The hope I
knew did disappoint. Dave’s mysterious symptoms had increased each year of our
marriage until we finally had an answer: late stage Lyme disease.
When Dave left work, confusion and a myriad of neurological problems were setting
in. Every few months Dave would have part of a day where he could talk without
passing out, and he would ask me what was happening to him. Did he still have a job?
Why was he sick? How long had it been this way? And slowly as I revealed the
details I would see him sink back into Lyme land again.
I tried offering just the sketchiest details—was it the stress of reality that chased him
away? But no, it didn’t matter. The reprieve was only a brief window into his soul.
Was that supposed to be hope for me, hope that the Dave I knew still existed and one
day would come back? Or was it a cruel tease, reminding me of what used to be but
might never be again? Every time Dave had a good day, I hoped it was a new
beginning, only to have that desire crushed.
What was this elusive hope that did not disappoint? A hope so strong so as to be
“an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf…” Hebrews 6:19-20a
Slowly over the next two-and-a-half years God began to reveal this hope. It wasn’t
about my current life circumstances, a slippery slope at best to place my trust in. It
wasn’t about whether or not Dave recovered—although I believe God cares infinitely
more than even I do about Dave’s well being.
It was about my heart being tethered to the inner sanctuary, the promise of being
eternally with God, sealed by God’s love poured out into our hearts now.
Can God really be known that personally? I wondered. Yet that’s the whole point
of the inner sanctuary—it was always to be the place God met with man. And now
that place is in our hearts. At times it’s more than I can grasp. When I think on the
infinite holiness of God alongside His accessibility to man through Christ, it’s more than
my finite mind can comprehend.
I may never know why God has allowed Dave to suffer with Lyme, but there is a
question that lures me into His presence day after day. Who is this God who on the
one hand seems to hide Himself, yet on the other desires to be known by us so much
that He gave the precious blood of Jesus to accomplish that goal? How can I know
the one who is Himself the hope that does not disappoint?
This was King David’s longing, the hope now fulfilled, and yet will be fulfilled even
greater in eternity. This is the journey I’m on, to pursue this hope and all that God has
to offer us. Come, let’s gaze upon His beauty and seek Him in His temple.
Gazing on Him,
Merry Marinello
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so,
but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the
Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:2b-5, NIV
but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the
Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:2b-5, NIV
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I
may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my
life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek
him in his temple. Psalm 27:4
may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my
life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek
him in his temple. Psalm 27:4
Could you use an occasional dose of encouragement? A spiritual pick-me-up? A
reminder of the goodness of God when your circumstances seem out of control? I
know I sure could! That's why I write this newsletter. I personally need to be
reminded on a regular basis of the character of God. We hope you'll be blessed as we
share some of our thoughts and experiences. Join us at yahoo groups if you'd like to
receive this newsletter. Please Email us if you have any difficulty joining.
August 2007, The Miracle
December 2006, The Time of God's Favor
February 2006, My Olympic Dream
January 2006, A New Song
December 2005, Unanswered Prayer
June 2005, "Be stumped"
March 2005, "Don't Forget"
December 2004, "The Best Presence"
October 2004, "Faith Like a Musk Ox"
September 2004, "Blind Landings"
July 2004, "And if Not": Hanging Onto Our Faith
May 2004, From Despair to Hope and Rest
March 2004, Molded by God
January 2004, Remaining in Christ
November 2003, Praying with Perseverance
October 2003, God's Protection In the Day of Trouble (dealing with Anger)
First Newsletter, September 2003, Hope that doesn't disappoint
© 2004 Dave and Merry Marinello, all rights reserved.
Welcome! Thanks for visiting our little "harbor" amid life's storms. We hope you
will find rest and encouragement in your struggles, big or small. Here you can:
will find rest and encouragement in your struggles, big or small. Here you can:
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Hope is My Anchor
Strength for your soul amid life's storms
Strength for your soul amid life's storms