Sometimes, I ask myself, am I sure about this name? Upon first hearing the name, I find that many people think of rescuing animals or something that literally, physically rescues. When I google Rescued Hope, the first thing that pops up is a documentary about Human Trafficking. So, is using the name Rescued Hope actually going to be beneficial for the things I'm dreaming of accomplishing through it?

Years ago, when I was about 23, I had this bright idea to name a music album, "Afraid of Falling." I thought it was clever because I was afraid of falling from high places, afraid of falling when hiking, skating, riding a bike, etc. I didn't consider, at the time, that I was also afraid of falling in other ways. I never actually finished an album called "Afraid of Falling," but 10 years later, I realized that the title was entirely meant for something else.

It was after I'd had a come to Jesus experience that I realized that I was afraid of falling on multiple levels. I was afraid of falling in the sense of failing... afraid of falling in the sense of giving my heart away... I was afraid of falling physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. So, in my journey to heal, I'd begun writing a book titled, "Afraid of Falling," which aims to act as a sort of memoir and testimony of where God replaced the lies I'd believed as a product of my surroundings with the truth that heals and sets us free.

I know this doesn't answer the question, "Why Rescued Hope?" The truth is, I'd started it just trusting what the spirit in me prompted and wholeheartedly believing that God has more than all I can fathom. As a worshipper and leader, it would be foolish of me not to trust my God-instincts despite how foolish they may seem from my human understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6, "lean not on your own understanding..." now speaks louder to me than it once did years ago.

Before 2015, my hope was lost. Perhaps, you could say, my hope was dead and gone. I'd been so bruised and battered by life that hope was pretty much nonexistent, and I believe the only hope I had was that I'd die by some mishap that didn't have to be suicide. I was unhappy. I was exhausted from trying too hard on my own strength. I wasn't excited to do new things or start over. Honestly, I'd come to a place where I didn't believe things would ever get better, so there was no use in trying again.

When I said I had a coming to Jesus experience, it wasn't because I was open to the idea of a good God existing with ease. Honestly, I was skeptical and questioned everything. Why? Because I was afraid of being wrong -- afraid of falling for yet another let down. However, my hope was dead, and the only thing left was this suicidal-like notion that I'd jump all-in to crazy ideas and situations just to see what happens... because let's face it, if I die, I die, and that's what I'd wanted anyway. I packed my bags, jumped on a plane, and became a missionary to sing about a God I didn't even believe existed.

The best part of this whole story is this... While I may have jumped into this missionary expedition disbelieving, I came out of it acquiring an encounter with God that I could never take back. I could go on and on about the details of my travels and the many encounters of love I'd experienced throughout the years, but that could take forever (perhaps this is where I plug in anticipation for the coming book)!

Here's what happened when I gave God a chance... I walked into His arms and found LOVE. Love was not something I fully understood. I believed it was sex, being accepted, words of affirmation, or loyalty. While love could encompass these things on a healthy level, I was addicted to anything that made me feel good. So, when things got rough (and they did get rough), I was good at running away, shutting down, isolating, and ignoring my issues. Here I was, giving my whole life away to a God I believed at the time probably didn't exist, and He changed me completely. He took me all over the world, taught me to heal the wounds of my past, built an everlasting family of people I'd learn to face conflict with and grow with, and most of all -- He restored my hope.

So, when I say Rescued Hope, it's not because I rescued people or animals. I don't really do any rescuing, per se. It's because God rescued my hope from the pit of despair. It's because I gave God a chance. I gave Him the opportunity to prove Himself faithful and trustworthy, which wasn't easy for the girl who didn't even trust herself. Now, however, I cling to this verse:

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." -- Romans 5:3-5

I survived a lot in this life I've lived, and I persevered past the desire to die after all the traumas had caused me to lose my hope. Giving God a chance was my first step to persevering beyond myself and my own strength into God and God's strength. As a result, my character changed. I became more joyful, patient, honest, transparent, and loving. As my character changed and I watched God show up for me repeatedly (not always on my time; never actually late -- but always on time), my hope was reborn. The more I persevere, and the more He teaches me who He is and what He can do, the more my doubts melt away.

God rescued my hope. Now, I live my life to bring others to the realization that God can and will restore your hope--if you let Him. It takes one small step. My life was hanging by a thread when I encountered God. Today, I've never been more excited and hopeful about what will happen tomorrow. This means that perseverance produced a character of strength and power in Jesus, which gave me hope to endure every trial, and my faith is now unshakeable.

So, while I believe God will continue to reveal more... This is why I call the future of this two-fold organization Rescued Hope. From Marketing to Bible study to everything else I give to God, it comes from a Rescued Hope.