I'm sitting at my desk this morning as the winter winds are wildly blowing outside. I realize that I feel a bit like the dark winter's day outside. It's a day that feels lonely. I hear the chorus of the song playing, "I need you Jesus to come to my rescue....where else can I go?" And I'm thrown for a moment, back in time, to a place where it seemed there was no hope, no answers, only a desperate cry out to God, a simple plea of "help me...there is no hope in sight."

Over some twenty years ago, my husband was going through a prolonged period without a job. We had three small children, a house payment, car payment and we were discouraged. I took a job at a local Target, working every night to help cover the cost of groceries.

One night while working in the jewelry department, I was stocking a new shipment of watches that had arrived. It was a quiet spring evening with drizzling rain... but I felt hopeless. Life seemed dark, dismal and desperate.

As I kneeled on the floor to stock the shelves, I began to pray. On my knees, I begged God to show me that He was really in this with me. Tears began to fall down my face uncontrollably as I heard a man say, "Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you. Could I get a new watch band?"

Quickly I wiped the tears from my face and stood up to help him. My father, a hobbyist watchmaker, had familiarized me with many old watches, but I'd never seen anything so old or beautiful, as he handed me a wristwatch.  He looked kindly into my face and said, "How are you this evening?"

I began to carefully replace the band for him and said, "I'm feeling kind of sad tonight." He answered, "Perhaps even without hope?" "Exactly!" I answered.

He wore an old brown raincoat and watched me intently. There was nothing exceptional about him, he was just plain. But then I noticed it, an old worn brown Bible in his hand. Yes, a Bible. Yes, at Target. I pushed back my shock, telling myself he was just on his way to a Wednesday night church service.

The middle-aged man placed the Bible on the counter and said, "I'm reminded of scripture, I'm sure you know it. Romans 8:28. Say it with me, Kathy." I looked up and smiled and repeated with him, "For we know that all things work together for good to them who love the Lord. To them who are called according to His purpose."

I fastened the watch back on his arm, and he looked into my eyes and said, "To them that love God. Don't give up. Sometimes our timing isn't God's, but it's always the right timing. You have to have faith. You must. Why, Kathy?" And I answered, "Because it pleases God." "Exactly." "Your answer is coming soon, but you must not give up. You must remain faithful and hope-filled."

I thought...this is weird. He'll give me a check that says, John Smith, and I'll go on my way thinking he's just an encourager.

He handed me a worn $5.00 bill. I handed him the change and he said.... "Be hope-filled, Kathy." And he walked away.

Just in that moment, the clerk next to me came back from her break and said, "Was that a friend of yours?" "No." I answered.   "How did he know your name? You don't have your nametag on tonight?" she asked me.

I ran. I literally ran down the aisle of the store to see him one more time...but of course, he was nowhere to be found.

I don't know who he was. I never understood it. I just know that it was the hope I needed in that desperate moment. And in that rainstorm, a Word of hope was given to me on a night when my raw and utter dependence was lifted to the only One who could answer.

Six days later, a job offer came, and my family was back on track. Those were six long days, but they were filled with hope.  Not hope in a stranger or his words, but hope that God was in control and that sometimes, it's just all about the wait....the faith....the hope.

Join the Best Life Ministries Staff,  and our friends, as we take a closer look at the way we deal with life when hope is hard to find.       

I cannot believe I am the Lone Ranger when it comes to longing for a kind, encouraging word or ray of hope to light up my times of darkness.  I often think of the wonderful people who have spoken words of support and encouragement that have brought hope in my ministry and life.  Hope is one of the necessary ingredients for human life, and hope for Christians extend from Jesus Christ who died for our sins and won the victory over sin and death. But hope does not mean that Christians will not experience pain and suffering, that Christians with hope will not escape tragedy and injustice in the world. 

In the book of Ruth, Naomi's story gives us hope.  In her darkest hour through her hardships, her trials, her doubts, Naomi continued to trust in the God of hope who turned one woman's deprivation into a bountiful harvest.  God had in no way forsaken her, His perfect plan was to shine His light on Naomi's life especially when she felt abandoned. Our God of hope brought great blessings out of Naomi's  tragedy and in all of her darkness, our God of Grace had given Naomi a ray of hope.

Naomi, a widow, out in the middle of nowhere, in a land of pagans and idol worshipers was miles away from any family, and was left with two sons to raise.  Eventually, her boys became men, and took wives of their own (Orpah and Ruth).  Before either of her sons could bless her with a grandchild to carry on their family's lineage, both Mahlon and Kilion died, which left Naomi feeling alone, feeling as if she had been left with nothing.  Without her two sons or her husband, Naomi felt abandoned.  But her daughter-in-laws brought some hope to her life when they both wanted to stay, but in Naomi's hopeful grace, insisted  Orpah and Ruth return to their family.  After much persuasion, Orpah returns home, but Ruth said to Naomi, where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God, your hope is my hope.

All kinds of things in this world can smash our hope. Maybe you feel as if you are in the middle of no-where land, and like Naomi, you feel as if everything in your world is crumbling around you and you're grief is so deep that you feel even if there is hope there is not enough left for restoration. But there is enough hope.  God did not abandoned Naomi and He was not going to let her be destroyed. God's plan restored Naomi and brought her His hope.  If you are going through some tough times, if you feel abandoned, the good news is, God has a plan to restore you and bring you hope, hope for today and in the future.  God makes everything beautiful in His time.  Ecclesiastic 3:11

The beginning of hope for Naomi was revealed in Ruth and was completed in a man named Boaz.  The beginning of hope for Christians is the good news that God loves them. Hope doesn't just whisper to us expectations for tomorrow.  Hope suggests to us that what we do makes a  difference and Whom we follow makes a difference. If it hadn't been for Easter, we would have no hope at all.  Jesus' triumph over death, His ability to make possible the impossible is and must be our source of hope.  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

Are you planning on expanding your family?

According to the Baby Center, the most births in the United States are in the months of July, August, and September. This means that planning and discussion is well underway. Mothers consider finances, work schedules, family life, and much more in decision and plans but they forget about one important thing, Their Bodies.

Is your body ready for pregnancy? Anywhere from 50%-80% of woman report having low back or pelvic pain during their pregnancy and 68% continue to have pain post pregnancy. Many of these women could have decreased this pain if they would have prepared their bodies pre-pregnancy.

What changes occur in pregnancy that increases your chance of experiencing pain? A women's body goes through many changes in pregnancy but only a specific few are related to pain. One's abdominal muscles are stretch to their limit, muscle and ligament strength decreases, joint hypermobility occurs (postural changes), and the pelvic floor becomes strained. If these conditions are thought of pre-pregnancy, the pain related to pregnancy could be decreased and post-partum pain may be controlled.

How can I prepare my body? It is important to get your body in shape, this is not a strenuous exercise program but a functional rehab program that is simple and is not time consuming.

 The Clam (Glutes) 3x10  Ankles, hips, shoulders in a line. Feet stay together.  Rotate upper leg    Keep pelvis still.  

Glut Bridge 3x10  "Pitch" glutes together.  Elevate your pelvis.  Hold for 10 seconds.  Returm and Repeat. 

Slide Bridge 3x10 Lay on side, knees in front of body.  Bring pelvis forward, hips off ground.  Hold for 10 seconds.  Return and Repeat.  

Hip Flexor Stretch Rotate pelvis downward.  Keep tilt and rock forward.  Hold for 30-60 seconds a side. 

These four exercises will help decrease the muscle imbalance and weaknesses that occur during pregnancy. If you are interested in learning more about reducing pain during pregnancy find a chiropractor or manual therapist that specializes in pregnancy or rehabilitation.

Remember it is important to plan ahead, but make sure that you do not forget about taking good care of your body.

Yours in Your Best Health, 

Dr. Justin Hildebrand 

Chicken Veggie Penne Medley

 Ingredients:

1  box whole wheat penne (13.25 oz.)

3 T. olive oil

2 -3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tsp. fresh garlic (finely chopped or pressed)

½ cup broccoli (roughly chopped)

½ red pepper (cut into strips)

8 - 12 spears of asparagus (chopped into thirds)

½ of a medium size onion (roughly chopped)

¼ c. fire roasted tomatoes (or roughly chopped fresh tomatoes)

¼ c. fresh mushrooms (roughly chopped)

¼ c. corn

¼ c. sliced almonds

2 T. drained capers (optional)

2 T. flour

2 c. low-sodium chicken stock

1 c. fresh spinach (roughly chopped)

Chopped parsley (for garnish)

Parmesan cheese (low fat variety can be used)

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

-Cook pasta according to directions on box. Set aside, and keep warm.

-Meanwhile, sauté chicken breasts in 2 T. of olive oil until chicken is no longer pink (4 to 5 minutes per side.) Once chicken is cooked through, remove from pan, and set aside. Cut chicken into strips.

-Add remaining olive oil to pan and sauté garlic, broccoli, red pepper, asparagus, onion, tomato, mushroom, corn, almonds, and capers for about 3 minutes. Then, add flour to vegetable mixture, and sauté for an additional 3-5 minutes. Next, add chicken strips to vegetable mixture, stir in chicken stock, and simmer until sauce thickens/vegetables reach desired tenderness.

-Once sauce has thickened (about 10 minutes,) stir in cooked penne and chopped spinach. Top with parmesan cheese, and garnish with chopped parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste.

(Whole wheat pasta is a much healthier alternative to regular pasta. This recipe contains no butter, and is packed full of nutrient rich vegetables. Utilizing low-sodium chicken stock, you can more effectively control the salt content in this dish.)