The dictionary defines the word hope as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
For me, hope was what I felt when I thought about me and my mom. I had a feeling of expectation and a desire for us to have the mother/daughter relationship I’d dreamed of having with her from the time I was a little girl.
One phone call would change the course of that expectation and desire forever.
My journey through hopefulness to hopelessness drove me to the darkest depths of despair. It was in the darkness I learned that truly, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13 NKJ)
In 2011, Rita Schulte of Heartline Radio invited me to share my story with her and her listeners; today I am sharing it with you.
Click on the arrow below…
Rita Schulte is a Certified Counselor, Author and Radio Host. You can connect with her through email, Facebook or Twitter. (click on links below)
“I am a licensed professional board certified counselor. I received my B.S. in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.”
Dearest Johnna~ Johnny and I were in your lives when this was happening, but we never knew some of what you shared. Please forgive our ignorance and insensitivity. We never felt you pushing us away. This is a powerful interview! I’m sharing it with others.
I love you always, Terrie
Dearest Terrie,
Yes, you definitely were, thank the Lord! It’s hard to put a year and a half into a 28 minute interview. There were several people, like you and your family, who were faithful in spite of my pulling away. I’m hopeful they know who they are and what their words/actions meant during such a difficult time in our life. Apparently I never shared my “Colgin Family Rescue” story with you, I will now.
It was a weekday and I was running my daycare when my phone rang. I went into the other room to take the call, it was my uncle Richard. He called to tell me that my mom was dying because I did not have “perfect faith”. Yes, you heard me right. He told me that if I had perfect faith then my mom would be healed. I was devastated. This call came at a time when my mom was getting much worse and I was having such a hard time with it all. I tried to talk with him and he would not listen to anything I had to say; he was argumentative and combative and I wound up hanging up on him. I was in my bedroom, I grabbed one of the decorative pillows from the bed and I was screaming into the pillow. I was devastated. Then I heard the doorbell ring! “Not now” I thought. (I almost didn’t answer it.) I opened the door and there stood you, John, John Jr. and Paige! You had cleaning supplies and you had brought me lunch…OH MY WORD!!! I let you in and you took charge 🙂 You had me sit down and eat and then told John, John Jr. and Paige what they needed to do. You and your family took over my daycare and cleaned my house and fed me! This was the Lord speaking to my heart through you and your family Terrie. You just have no idea. I will NEVER forget that day. I have shared that story soo many times.
I always say that it’s the little things that make a BIG difference. That day you and your family made a BIG difference that has stayed with me all these years, I will NEVER forget it. God used you and your family to minister His lovingkindness to me that day. He knew I would receive that call and He sent you 4 to be His comfort.
I love you all so much,
XOXO
Oh, sweetie, I don’t remember all the details of that day! I’ve learned that that’s how God works with me! When He uses me in some way, He quickly erases the memory of it. I guess He is guarding me from pride and self-congratulation. He is so wonderfully thorough!
The Colgin/Leach love and bond will follow us all the way to Heaven! Can’t wait!
Love always, Terrie
Amen to that! What a reunion we will have 🙂
XO