Episode 41: Tested Hope

What is hope before it's tested? It's a funny question, isn't it? I mean, we know transformation happens between untested and tested hope, but what kind? C.S. Lewis focuses his answer on revelation in his book A Grief Observed: “God has not been trying an experiment on my faith or love in order to find out their quality. He knew it already. It was I who didn't." The Apostle Paul goes beyond self-revelation to an often painful trajectory that ends at a fruitful promise: "...we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame..." Romans 5:3-5 Which leads some of us to this bold honest question... So does that mean it's possible to get to the point where we move through suffering and tests differently because we trust they lead to resilient hope? To a hope that does not disappoint? After reading Carlisa's story, we think you might find yourself declaring, "of course it does!" When God called Carlisa and her husband to foster* nine children [not all at the same time], He already knew that it would pull her through the biggest faith crisis of her adult life -- the death of her beloved mother. Our mission story begins with a grief stricken daughter declaring "I don't do God anymore" and ends with a wild, nearly comical series of God-incidences that leave her shamelessly hopeful! Curious? We sure hope so. Join Kat Silverglate, founder of the Mobile Mission Project at The Ridiculous Hour Foundation, for the May 2023 Mission story called Tested Hope. If you'd like to receive the free Mission Pack discussed in this podcast, we'd be thrilled to send you one by snail mail while supplies last. Simply visit the mission page at www.theridiculoushour.com. Note*: some facts about the children have been changed to protect their identities. End Note: With ridiculous gratitude to our sound producer, Shannon Alderman, for your excellence in making these podcasts pop with music and vocal edits.