hope – Meghan E White

After the Storm

July 12, 2024 meghanewhite

Forty-eight hours after Hurricane Beryl ripped through Houston, I was in my garden cleaning up from the devastation. A swallowtail was fluttering around drinking nectar from the flowers. Business as usual for this stunning pollinator. Life continues after the storm passes.

Thank God we are safe and suffered no real loss, or property damage. We lost power at around 5:45 AM on Monday morning. The only sound was the howling wind and heavy rain beating down on our house. My husband was on his way home from work. All I could do was pray. I held on to this verse, and put it in the notes on my phone the night before, glancing at it when fear started to creep in.

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:25, NIV

There are very few things in this life we can control, and a hurricane is not one of them. You can prepare to the best of your ability, have lots of water, canned food, and maybe even a generator. That won’t stop the impending storm and the havoc it will wreak.

The storm will pass and what you’re left with can potentially be horrendous. Loss of life, and property. For us, we lost power for thirty hours. No too bad considering many are still without power in Houston, as of this writing. The heat and humidity in the middle of the summer in Southeast Texas is brutal. No air conditioning can be quite miserable here. We would cool off in our car, thank God we could.

When we started looking around our neighborhood we saw many downed fences and lots of branches and debris. We counted our blessings and thanked God for protecting us. Three years ago, the ice storm was not so kind to us with broken pipes. But God saw us through that storm.

The question is not if a storm in life will happen, it’s when. Life’s storms can be unrelenting, whether they are physical, spiritual, emotional, relational, or financial. You think you are prepared, and yet, you were flattened by the difficulty and the loss. Reeling in pain and wondering how you can go on after the catastrophic storm.

It all depends on the foundation of your house. What’s your foundation? Is it sand? Is it the Rock, Jesus?

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. Matthew 7:26-27, NIV

I have withstood many storms, and the only reason I am still here is my foundation is on the Rock. Jesus has gotten me through every single storm and He will continue to do so. Do you need to rebuild? He is a redeemer. Do you need some repairs? He can restore. Do you need the right foundation? He is the Solid Rock, the Savior.

Storms are guaranteed in life. Don’t build on sand. Build on the Rock, Jesus Christ.

Love you all,

Meghan

If you need prayer go to my contact page and send me your request.

Family

For My Brother Sean

August 29, 2023August 29, 2023 meghanewhite

Death comes for all of us, though for some it happens too soon. My oldest brother, Sean, died on August 19, 2023. At only fifty-five years young, a septic infection killed him. He eluded death for years as a drug addict. There were countless overdoses from methamphetamines that could have taken his life, and it was a hard life. Sean lived on the streets for the majority of his adulthood. He lived with people who took him in from time to time, but that never lasted, because Sean always sabotaged it.

I have not seen my brother in almost twenty years. I would get updates from my mom when she was still alive, if Sean was in jail, or rehab, or prison. The only pictures I would see were mug shots that ripped my heart wide open. Drug addiction and homelessness changes a person. They look and act differently. Sean was manipulative, violent, and angry. My mom feared that he might cause her harm.

The thought of my brother dying without knowing Jesus as his Savior, and facing an eternity in hell, destroyed me. I cried many tears over his horrible life, calling on the Lord, pleading for Sean’s soul. I wasn’t the only one praying. My mom was praying, and my sister, and many other friends, and family members. Recently, my prayers shifted. I asked God to “snatch Sean out of all the addiction, and pain, and evil. To set him free.” I would picture God’s hand plucking Sean off the streets to freedom. I am believing that the Lord answered our prayers.

Sean chose the life he lived. He took the drugs, lied, cheated, stole, hurt people, and made the worst choices with catastrophic results. The drugs called him, and he answered, probably thinking he was in control. Then it took a turn, where the drugs gripped him tightly, and did not want to let go.

Sean wasn’t always an addict. He was my parent’s son, and a brother to four siblings. Sean had hopes and dreams, like all of us. He was smart and did well in school. As a five-year-old he informed my mom that he would walk himself to kindergarten. Sean was very talented in theater productions, and was an active member of the drama department of his high school. I vividly remember watching his plays, being mesmerized at his performances. His drama teacher loved him and promised Sean a college scholarship, but he dropped out of high school.

I have a lot of good childhood memories of playing board games with Sean, and holding his pet rat, Ruby. I can hear his hearty laugh. He loved music and I would listen to his records. My first real concert was with both my brothers. It was U2 in 1987 at the L. A. Colosseum. Sean drove us there, and it was terrifying, because he was a scary driver. But, he made the concert fun for me.

My brother was a person, with value, who got caught up in a tragic life of addiction. Sean was taught the truth of Jesus Christ being the only way to the Father. I know the Lord was always calling him, because that’s how much Jesus loves him. The peace and comfort I have from the Lord is a gift. I keep seeing Jesus pick Sean up out of the hospital bed and carry him home. Free from suffering. Free from the grip of hard drug addiction. Free from a life of torment. No more pain, no more sorrow.

I can’t help but think of the thief on the cross when I think of Sean’s death. One thief who was also being crucified at the same time as Jesus said to Him, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43, NIV)

Goodbye Sean. You will always be my big brother, and I will always love you. See you soon.

Love,

Meghan

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Faith, God, Jesus, Uncategorized

Live for Today

May 22, 2020May 22, 2020 meghanewhite

Today you have been given a gift. The gift of time. There are 1440 minutes in your gift. You and I get this precious gift of time, each and every day.

This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24, ESV

God made our days and He numbered them.

Lord, reveal to me the end of my life
and the number of my days.
Let me know how short-lived I am.
You, indeed, have made my days short in length,
and my life span as nothing in Your sight.
Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor.Selah Psalm 39:4-5, HCSB

How much time do we waste each day? I don’t believe the goal is to fill every single minute with non-stop activity. We’ve all got necassary day-to-day duties that are unavoidable. Sleep takes up a certain amount of our hours. Work. Other daily responsibilities like cooking, errands, caring for our families, and a long list of daily tasks fill our routines. And yes, there should be a little down time each day, to recharge your batteries.

A person’s days are determined;
you have decreed the number of his months
and have set limits he cannot exceed. Job 14:5, NIV

So, if God ordained our days, and He ordained our lives, then He knows we have normal routine stuff that needs to take place. He also has ordained big and small events in our lives every day; that give us opportunities to make a difference for His Kingdom.

This is not the Carpe Diem trendy thinking of our culture. Seize the day is associated with self. Go for it. Take everything you can from each day. This type of thinking says the day is yours. As Christians, each day is a gift from the Lord that He made, and it’s not all ours for the taking.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10, NIV

God has Kingdom work for us to accomplish. And we need Him to do what He’s called us to. Maybe you don’t know your specific calling yet. Start asking God what He has you here for. Each of us has a unique purpose. In the meantime, look for daily small moments to share the love of Jesus. Working hard to provide for your family matters. Cooking a meal for your family is loving. Going to the grocery store and getting food and other essentials is important. We’re human and we need food. Being kind to the checker at the store. Helping an elderly shopper with reaching an item. (Maybe after the covid19 6 feet away craziness is over.)

There are moments each day that we can make a difference. Praying for someone, sharing the Gospel, helping a neighbor. Giving a friend a ride. Listening to your children’s ideas and hopes. Encouraging your spouse. Forgiving that person you’ve been holding a grudge against. Love God. Love your family. Love strangers you cross paths with. Love your annoying neighbor.

These are not easy on our own. They are impossible in our own abilities. We need filled up before we can overflow with the love of Christ.

Yesterday is the past. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have today.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34, NIV

We are all very aware we’ve got enough to deal with today. Jesus tells us not to worry about tomorrow. We are supposed to live in today. We can still make plans, and pray about future events, and circumstances. But, we are to leave those at Jesus feet and get on with our day. I know, that’s super difficult. At least for me it is.

Give each day the care it deserves. It may not be flashy but it is a gift from the Lord. Every day is not some thrill ride. Many days can be mundane and quite ordinary, but God ordained them. Thank Him for each day.

Thank God on the good days.

Thank God on the awful days.

Thank God every single day. He made it just for you.

Is Jesus Christ your Savior? Today would be a great day to accept His free gift of salvation. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Love you all,

Meghan

Go to my contact page and email me if you need prayer.

Faith, Spiritual Warfare, Trials, Uncategorized

For the Hurting, You Are Loved

February 7, 2020 meghanewhite

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Are you hurting? In deep pain? Someone I love is hurting deeply. They are struggling with suicidal thoughts. It breaks my heart. They’ve lost hope. When we lose hope, all we see is darkness. We think there is no way out. That’s a lie.

There is always hope. Jesus Christ is our hope. He can pierce the darkness with His glorious light. Cry out to Him. He hears you. He sees you. He will make a way for you.

Thus says the Lord,
    who makes a way in the sea,
    a path in the mighty waters,
who brings forth chariot and horse,
    army and warrior;
they lie down, they cannot rise,
    they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
“Remember not the former things,
    nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.

(Isaiah 43:16-19, ESV)

If you don’t know Jesus, today would be a great day to change that. Jesus knows you and loves you beyond comprehension. Jesus died for sinners, which is all of us. Our sin debt is paid in full.

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV)

Call on Jesus. Ask Him to save you and He will!

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13, NIV)

I wrote a letter to my young friend who is in deep pain. The Lord gave me the words. The names have been changed. If you, or someone you know, is depressed or struggling with suicidal thoughts, feel free to use my letter and personalize it. I pray it can help others. May God be glorified.

Please ask for help if you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or depression. I know it’s not easy, but your loved ones care so deeply about you and want to help. You are not alone.

Love you all,

Meghan

Dear Elizabeth,

I’m very sorry that you are hurting. When you hurt, I hurt too. You are dearly loved by so many. Your mom and dad love you more than you will ever know. Your brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and so many other family members love you so very much.

There is one who loves you more than even your mom and dad. God loves you, dear sweet Elizabeth. Your Heavenly Father knew you before time began. He looked at you and said, “This one is going to have a voice like an angel, and a pure, compassionate heart.”

Elizabeth, there is one YOU in this whole wide world. God has a purpose and a plan for you, but you’ve got to trust Him. Give Him your pain, and heartache, and questions. God can take it, and He wants you to give it all to Him. You are not designed to carry such pain.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

(In the Greek, cast means to throw, hurl, or toss)

You have the freedom in Jesus to throw your anxiety on Him. This is not a suggestion. We are told to do so. Elizabeth, throw it on Him! If you have to throw it a hundred times in a day, then do it!! You have freedom and Holy Spirit power in you!! That means you’ve got the power of God in you. The moment you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you received the Holy Spirit. This is not spooky stuff, it’s the amazing truth.

When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Ephesians 1:13

Those bad, evil, lying thoughts that come in your mind are not the truth. A thought or idea does not mean it’s the truth. You will have many thoughts all day long, some are good and some are not. If the thought does not line up with the word of God, it’s garbage.

God will NEVER:

Call you names

Tell you to hurt yourself.

Tell you to hurt another person.

Tell you anything that goes against His word.

God says:

I love you.

You are my precious daughter.

I made you with an everlasting love.

I will carry you when you can’t walk.

I am a way maker.

Give me your pain.

Give me your doubts.

Give me your fears.

Trust me.

I will never leave you.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

When you get a bad thought in your mind, picture Jesus holding a stop sign. Give the bad thought to Jesus. Those bad thoughts have to come under the authority of Jesus. Tell the stupid thought “No!”

Praise and worship is another powerful tool to fight back against the battles that go on in our mind. You invite God in when you worship. So sing out praises to the King of Kings! Even if you don’t feel like it.

But you are holy,

you who inhabit the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3

Elizabeth is God’s chosen one.

Elizabeth is God’s special possession.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

He knows everything about you. Every pain, every sorrow, every sadness, every bad thought. All of it. He loves you and will never walk away from you. He can handle your disappointments, doubts, fears, anxiety, and questions. If you let Him, Jesus can turn your deepest pain into something so beautiful. Trust God. He’s bigger than you can imagine. Bigger than your hurt. Nothing is impossible with Him.

For with God nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37

I’m here for you if you need to talk.

With Love,

Meghan

Heavenly father,

I lift up precious Elizabeth to you. Give her hope, peace, and comfort. Set her free from these tormenting thoughts. Your word says she has the mind of Christ. Let Elizabeth hear your voice above all the noise, above the lies. Let her hear your truth that she is loved, she belongs to you. Let her hear your powerful still, small voice. Give Elizabeth wisdom and discernment. Help her take every thought captive, and make them obedient to Christ.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Photo credit: Pexels from Pixabay

Faith, Jesus, Uncategorized, Volunteer

Remember Those In Prison

December 13, 2019December 13, 2019 meghanewhite

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Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners.

Hebrews 13:3

I had the privilege to participate in an Angel Tree Party last Saturday. It’s a Christmas party for children of prisoners and their families. Before entering the prison, we waited in a line outside. Every volunteer and family member must be searched, and patted down. Cell phones, and pretty much all personal items are not allowed inside. After all the necessary safety precautions, we joined the party that was already in full swing.

Christmas music was playing. There was dancing, games, food, prizes, smiling children, and smiling dads. Local churches partner with Angel Tree to make it a fun, festive, happy occasion. Myself and a few friends from my small group helped with the craft area. Kids got to decorate a holiday frame with a picture of their dad. These kids were so precious, and so happy to be with their dads. There were little bitty toddlers all the way up to teenagers. So many of the children put “I Love My Dad” on their picture frames.

The kids are only allowed to see their fathers twice a year. Once at the Angel Tree Party, and once in June, around Father’s Day. That’s it. No children are permitted in the prison beyond those two days. So this party was a big deal and a very special time for all the families involved. There were also many wives, girlfriends, moms, and grandmas there.

Angel Tree is a year round organization under Prison Fellowship. Angel Tree has camps, mentoring, and sports clinics. There are over 2.7 million children of incarcerated parents in the U.S. Imagine the fear, shame, and loneliness that these kids must experience. Angel Tree is a blessing to these dear children.

I loved being involved with one tiny part of Angel Tree, but I only helped for a few hours. The real heroes are those who serve in this ministry year round. Like my sweet friend Holly. Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves, Holly is just all heart. She leads a men’s group at this prison called Alpha. It’s a mentoring/discipleship program. We got to meet some of the men in Holly’s group and she’s so proud of these guys. How awesome to have someone rooting for you when so many in your life have not.

This prison is for men who have done their time and been reformed. It’s a Christian program that gets these guys ready to go back into the world upon release as leaders and contributors to society. This special program allows only the select few to participate. These men know Jesus and they are forever changed. Gang bangers, murderers, dealers, and all kinds of hardened criminals radically changed by Jesus Christ. That’s the Gospel. The Good News. That’s the hope for all of us.

Jesus is not a respecter of persons. Jesus came for sinners like me and you.

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

Please remember those in prison. Prisoners need the love of Jesus just as much as your co-workers and neighbors. Pray for prisoners. Pray for their children and wives and families. Pray for ministries like Prison Fellowship.

I was in prison and you came to visit me. Matthew 25:36

As I looked at the dads in white clothing, many covered in gang tattoos, I saw my brothers in Christ. I saw hope in their faces. I saw love for their children and wives. That room was filled with the Holy Spirit. It didn’t matter that we were behind prison walls. That won’t stop Jesus. Nothing can, except a hard heart. Let’s pray for soft hearts to the gospel.

“The ground is level at the foot of the cross.” Chuck Colson, Founder Prison Fellowship

Love you all,

Meghan

Prison Fellowship Home

Praising God in Prison by Meghan E. White

Image by Ichigo121212 from Pixabay