Thankful: For Hope

Now these three remain:  Faith, Hope, Love

1 Corinthians 13:13

Mindy McCreedy, a beautiful and talented country singer, died on Sunday, a month after her record producer boyfriend died - in the exact same place (the front porch of their Arkansas home), and the same way (self-inflicted shotgun wound).  McCreedy was only 37 years old, and left behind two young sons.

Ms. McCreedy hit the big time back in the 1990's with a double platinum album providing several hit songs.  But years of substance abuse, jail time, and a bitter custody battle with her mother over her oldest son brought long periods of depression and despair.  There have been four previous suicide attempts and at least three trips to rehab.  She has spoken openly to reporters and talk show hosts about her demons of addiction and depression.  She kept hoping that she had "turned a corner."  But she never quite managed to do so.

My heart aches at the though of this vibrant woman coming to the place where hope for the future was non-existent.  As someone who has battled depression, my sympathy goes out to Ms. McCreedy's family - especially to her two sons.  The loss of a mother at a young age is a life-altering experience.  I hope and pray that there is strong family support for those two children.  

Hope is defined as ...the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.  Many people hope for a better day tomorrow, a better life in the future, a relief from physical or emotional pain at some point.  When there is never any upward movement - never any change in circumstances - never any measurable improvement in coping with everyday life, hope can begin to die.  And without expectation and hope, life ceases to be worth living.

I have many avenues of hope in my life.  Some are more realistic than others, but I refuse to count out the possibility, the expectation, the optimism, the faith.  God is still in control of this universe, and I base my trust, my hope, and my faith in Him.