A New Hope

It's been maybe three years since I began working on my Masters for the Chaplaincy. I had previously given up on it. Then Candy (my wife) came along and suddenly there was purpose in me going the extra mile. I had pursued the ministry on and off for over ten years now.

When I graduated from Liberty University back in 97' I thought I was going to work with my home church in youth Ministry. I came back to believer's chapel only to find that there was no need. I joined the Army soon afterward. I was running from God. I really didn't think he cared any more.
Well in my little barracks room I watched Shawshank Redemption. The movie was largely about hope. In it Stephen King summarizes hope up in Andy's talk to his friend Red. "Remember Red. Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies." From that point on I lived in hope that God would take care of me. That he loved me.

For a long time that hope has been summed up in the Chaplaincy. I was a Chaplain's Assistant and found it a good avenue to minister to soldiers. Still I felt I needed to do more. To be more. So I tried and I tried to step out there but never giving it my all (less I fail). I did not want to be hurt. When I married Candy I knew something was different. I had in front of me a physical manifestation of God's provision of love in my life.

I need not worry if I fail God will be with me. I would not be alone because he would not forsake me. But more then that (if there is such a thing) God had provided me comfort which was something that I sorely needed. So after I married Candy I started to pursue the Chaplaincy again in earnest.

Like I said it's been almost three years now. I am almost done. It's now that I am looking around and wondering what now? When you get what you hope for what next? When you stand on the beach of Zihuatanejo, where do you look for a brand new hope?

I'll be interested in seeing your replies.