Have you ever just been getting through whatever life throws at you? Yeah, I get it.

This week, a friend asked, “When are you going to start blogging again?”

“Maybe soon,” I replied, “there is something on my heart.”

Today I opened “Hope Whispers” to see how long it’s been. Last post–August 9, 2024. What? OMGosh, one year! God is up to something good!

Four years ago, a friend gave me a journal—handmade. It’s special and I saved this gift for something special—not knowing what that special would be. Now I know. I’m using it for my “Take Back Journal”.

In my life, there are events, experiences (yes, I remember them) that I’ve “deleted”—days, months, and years “deleted” from my life—don’t think about them; don’t talk about them; don’t focus on them.

By God’s grace, I’m taking back all of my life—all the messy, broken, painful, shameful pieces; along with all the lovely, good, noble, and beautiful parts of my story. It sure took me long enough. Can you relate? If so, please be gentle on yourself as your journey unfolds–as you look back and as you take back parts of your story. God is always up to something good.

Although my birth is a good place to start; it’s not the right place to start. 

BY GOD’s GRACE, the first page of my Take Back Journal starts, “TAKE BACK DEAF” for among the Deaf is where I’ve lived the majority of my life. (FYI, I’m using “Deaf” to include deaf/Deaf/Hard of Hearing/etc.)

Barbara was the first friend I had that was Deaf. We were in 7th grade and read the book “Helen Keller” together. We learned the handshapes of the American Sign Language (ASL) Alphabet.

From there, by God’s grace and leading, I met hundreds, perhaps thousands of Deaf. The Deaf were gracious and patient with me (a hearing person), welcoming me into their Deaf World.

For decades, I lived in the “Deaf World” (as much as a hearing person can). My friends were Deaf. We raised our children together. We went to church together. We ministered together. We did life together.

Then a life event in 2019, threw me into a tailspin. My world turned upside down, and I landed in Hearing World.

I TAKE BACK all the years–every single day I lived in the Deaf World, along with every Deaf friend, every CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), every DCODA (Deaf Child of Deaf Adults), all the laughs and tears shared; all the joys and sorrows shared.

I TAKE BACK all the glorious years in the Deaf Community and in Deaf Ministry. I praise God for everything He did. All the honor and glory and praise belong to Him!

I TAKE BACK the “I love you” handshape in ASL. Deaf tend to type it like this \|m/

I TAKE BACK all the years…every single day!

God has and is using my “I TAKE BACK” journey to heal and strengthen me, giving me renewed life and purpose as He fills me with hope.

God is always up to something good!

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13, NIV).