Hope, Again

As an educator, I made the transition from the public sector to teaching in a private setting. In doing so, I’ve had the opportunity to share my faith and inspire young minds to discover their gifts and use them. I've also had the opportunity to listen to prayer requests which actually became one of my kids' favorite times to share. Growing up, I was never taught how to read the Bible or pray over life’s circumstances. It wasn’t until adulthood that I started learning what it meant to pray—not just before bedtime, but with intention, understanding, and for others. I discovered the power of praying through situations and trusting God’s guidance. Faith and prayer paved the way to making hope possible.

Looking back, I can see clear evidence of how faith and prayer have carried my husband and I through challenging times. While writing lyrics about hope, I realized that I have been learning and growing all along in what it also truly means to trust God’s plan and be anchored in hope. I am more introverted than extroverted, I like to have control over my environment, I am a planner, and I find comfort in having something to look forward to, something predictable. Over the years, past experiences and hurts have made trusting others more difficult—and at times, I found myself holding back and not always fully trusting in the One who can make all things possible.

While writing my song “You’re Not Done with Me,” in fall of 2025, I knew in my heart that sharing it would require further courage to not only share my music, but deeper trust in Him. God was speaking to me through the music, saying, “I am not done with you… using the gift of music and the life I gave you.” This reminder of how I was teaching others of His faithfulness, but not always doing to so myself encouraged me to find hope once again when it comes to this new season in my life.

Faith, prayer, and trust are not always easy, but they are how God works through us and leads us to be anchored in hope in Him as He works in our lives. While I continue on this journey, both in life and songwriting, I am learning to release control and walk more in faith, trust His timing even with prayer requests, and hold on to hope—knowing that He is always at work, even when we cannot see the full picture.