#ScriptureSunday Ephesians 4:17-32

Living as Children of Light

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

#ScriptureSunday Isaiah 9:2-7

The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.

 You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
 For You have broken the yoke of his burden
And the staff of his shoulder,
The rod of his oppressor,
As in the day of Midian.
 For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle,
And garments rolled in blood,
Will be used for burning and fuel of fire.

 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

When a Pregnancy is Unplanned

When thinking about Christmas, you can't help but think of the most unplanned pregnancy of all. Mary and Joseph probably felt a lot of the same emotions that our clients feel as they walk in our doors. Until you work directly in the industry, you may have a lot of preconceived opinions about the topic of unplanned pregnancies and questions about those who find themselves in that position. How often does it happen? Are they all young teenagers? Is it only one ethnic group? Only rural areas?  Lower income? Churched or unchurched?  Hopefully, this will shed some light on the topic.

Over 50% of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned. That is larger than any peer country.  The most common ages are 18-24. In fact, 75% of all teen pregnancies are 18 and 19 year olds. She is equally churched and unchurched. She crosses all socio-economic backgrounds.  In fact, by the time women end their child- bearing years, one in three women will also have an abortion (as reported by the CDC).  Unplanned pregnancies do not discriminate and can happen in any home from the most broken of homes to the most well-adjusted and fully intact homes. 

Why is it happening so much you might wonder? We know young people are physically maturing more quickly, but emotionally maturing less quickly so their bodies and ‘sexual urges’ are moving faster than their brains are able to make good decisions. Less people are married these days at an age when sexual activity typically begins. More people are getting divorced. Sexual activity outside of committed relationships is more commonly accepted.  And in the age of texting, twitter and other forms of social media, we are raising a generation who is more prone to sexual activity, but not equipped to have authentic relationships with good communications skills that would lead to good decision making. 

Is there hope? Yes! The country may be divided down the line about abortion, but I think most of us agree we first need to prevent more unplanned pregnancies. We also need to step in and help the women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy with a clear plan that not only gets them through their immediate crisis, but sets them up for success for their future. 

At Hope Clinic for Women our prevention material is called Beyond Abstinence. We try to address matters of the heart and the head first knowing that focusing on just sexual activity is not as successful. We have a four-week presentation model that works best when the boys/girls are split up for most of it, and it is taught in small groups where dialogue is possible. We have a track just for parents that has been an eye-opening experience for them. We also provide professional counseling for women and men who are struggling in this area dealing with childhood trauma, sexual abuse, pornography and other issues impeding their chance for success.

We also have the most amazing and thorough program for women and men in unplanned pregnancies. We provide medical help, practical education classes, spiritual mentorship, professional counseling (for her, her partner, the couple, and the family). Along with participation in our program, they receive practical support for them and their children (clothes, diapers, wipes, car seats, strollers, etc.). In a recent article online, 50% of pro-choice women said they had their abortion because they had no support system. Hope Clinic can be that support system. If you or anyone you know needs help in an unplanned pregnancy or would like to discuss how we can bring our prevention program to your church, school, or community, please contact us at 615.321.0005 or visit us at www.hopeclinicforwomen.org.

Living Life with a Thankful Heart

I am not writing this because I have mastered this concept. It is my aim to live like this more and more every day. But I do know people who have mastered this spirit. They are not the wealthiest people I know. They do not have the skinniest bodies. They have lines and wrinkles. They probably did not win a place on the Homecoming court. And they don’t get on Facebook for three weeks in November quoting something they are thankful for every day (not that there is anything wrong with that). They simply LIVE every day, every moment, and every breath with a thankful heart. They have a thankful spirit that is present in the most amazing experiences and through the worst of trials. They are not just thankful for the good things/people in their lives, but they know how to be thankful for the things/people they don’t have in their lives.

How can we move to living a life with a thankful heart? A group of my peers talked about the value of a gratitude journal. Something you keep by your bed so you can record all the things you are grateful for to remind yourself in the seasons you don’t feel grateful for anything. That seems very practical for my brain and I do this, but not consistently, so I am not so sure how well it’s working for me. But maybe that will work for you?

I have added one thing in my life that has really made a difference. I meet with a friend every single Monday morning to go on a hike. The hike takes us 90 minutes and in that time we share about life. It’s a way to start the week with a forced focus on mental/physical/spiritual health. When we talk, we allow the other to speak into our life from the perspective of what God’s Word promises us. We try not to play therapist to each other (although we slip into it at times), but we simply try to remind each other who God says we are, what He has done for us and what He can do. Because we have an established relationship, we are completely allowed to be authentic and honest about our ‘wrestle time with God’, and we are able receive these reminders more like manna from heaven than judgment or lame platitudes.

It's like the difference between joy and happiness. One is an internal attitude and one is dependent on the moment at hand. A thankful heart goes to the source that does not go dry. I encourage you this season to focus back on God. Sit in His presence. Read His Word. Get to know the sound of His voice. Create a space for Him in your heart. It doesn’t matter if it takes a journal, a hike, a bible study, or a Christian therapist to help you do this. Just find the one that works for you.

Be thankful with me this season. Not for what we have or don’t have, but for whom God has called us to be. Be thankful that He did not mess up creating us (no matter how much WE mess up) and that His outstretched hand is never too far away. 

Renée Rizzo
President/CEO

Finding Hope After a Loss

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  Psalms 139:13-16

Discovering you're pregnant can be a bit shocking depending on whether it was planned or unplanned and how many other children you have. You may experience contradicting feelings at the same time such as happiness, fear, stress, ______ (fill in the blank). Your brain is working overtime. "Is this really a good time for me to be pregnant?" "How long should I wait to tell everyone?" "Should I tell anyone?" "I thought I was finished having babies." "Can we afford to have another one? We JUST finished paying the hospital bills for the last kid!" (That was my first thought!) After a few weeks of knowing and accepting this truth that you are indeed carrying a baby, you may become happier or more nervous, depending on your family history. Either way, you have 9 months to prepare and figure out how you're going to handle this, right?

I was in this situation a few years ago. I already had one child and found myself pregnant a few years later. It wasn't planned, but I was excited nonetheless and told my family immediately. I had a few close friends who had experienced a miscarriage recently, so it was on the back of my mind, but I honestly didn't think it would happen to me since I never had any problems getting pregnant or during my first pregnancy. 

Around 11 weeks, I started telling more people, since I was almost out of the first trimester and into the "safe zone". I remember I had my 12 week ultrasound scheduled on a Monday morning. The Sunday night before my ultrasound, I had extreme abdominal pain and ran to the bathroom only to see a massive amount of blood in the toilet. My first and only thought was, this is it, I'm having a miscarriage right now. There was no doubt in my mind. I called my close friend sobbing to her and barely getting the words out, but she knew exactly what to say. She told me to go straight to the ER. My husband called my parents, and they came over to watch our son while we went to the hospital. In the ER, I kept losing such an obscene amount of blood that I ended up having 2 blood transfusions, plus the D & C surgery along with numerous ultrasounds to make sure they got everything out. To put it simply, it was a horrendous and traumatic experience that I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

There were some women from my church who lifted me up in prayer and sent me encouraging emails, even though they had never met me. That meant so much to me that they would take time out of their busy lives to support me in my grief. They had also experienced this pain, and wanted to let me know that I wasn't alone. Some of those words from strangers meant more to me than even words from my close friends and family. I'll always remember one lady who wrote: "God loved your little angel so much that He wanted them to go straight to Heaven with Him so they would never feel death, sorrow, crying, or pain." While this brought me great comfort, I am aware that someone else hearing these words may be offended or hurt worse. Sometimes the best thing we can do is be present and not try to come up with the "perfect response" since we never know how people will react. God knew exactly who and what would comfort me at that time.

Miscarriage doesn't discriminate - 1 in 4 women will experience a miscarriage. I didn't know this statistic before I had one. Before I had my miscarriage, I thought it was a very sad thing and I felt bad for everyone I knew that had one. After I had my miscarriage, I still think it a very sad thing, but now I not only feel bad for people who have one, I can actually know the pain they are feeling. Before my miscarriage, I never knew the right words to say to encourage or support women who had one. After my miscarriage, I now just sit and cry with women who had one.

So even though 1 in 4 women have this in common, I know I felt extremely alone after it happened to me. My friend who talked me through it on the phone lived out of state and had 3 kids, so I didn't want to bother her. My other friend who experienced miscarriage was also dealing with postpartum depression. If I felt lonely (and I have a decent amount of friends), I'm pretty sure there are other women out there who feel just as alone. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

I didn't talk to anyone professionally about my loss, and I really wish that I had. Now that I work for Hope Clinic, I have the privilege of knowing these amazing women and men who counsel our clients daily and if I could go back in time and talk with them right after my miscarriage, I would. Their kindness and patience allows them to be such good listeners and they make you feel comfortable talking to them about anything. I encourage anyone reading this who has gone through this pregnancy loss, even if it was completely different than mine, to reach out to someone who can walk through this with you. If you don't know anyone close by, please give Hope Clinic a call at 615.321.0005. It seriously will be the best call you can make for healing through your grief.

I became pregnant about 6 months later and now have two sweet boys, but I'll always remember my angel baby. I found this poem online and it spoke to exactly how I was feeling. I hope it brings you comfort as well.

A Lament for My Baby

I never got to hear you laugh, you never saw me cry.
Didn't get a chance to say "Hello", you never said "Goodbye".
I didn't think that I could feel so sad, lost and forlorn.
I never knew God chose his Angels before some of them were born.
Your life was short yet special; I shared it all exclusively.
I felt you breathe, I felt you kick. You were alive inside of me.
Every baby is an Angel and every angel is divine.
God needed one in heaven; He came down and took mine.
And although we are not together, we're not really apart
for you'll always occupy a space deep within my heart.
Time has begun to ease my pain, It's only some days now I cry.
When I wish I could have said "Hello" and heard you say "Goodbye".
~Author Unknown


Sara Chang has served as the Communications Coordinator at Hope Clinic for Women since August 2013. She manages the website, printed materials, and social media. She received her bachelor's degree in Spanish from MTSU. After living in NYC for seven years, she moved back home in 2008 and lives in Nashville with her husband and two sons.

Reaching the Light at the End of the Tunnel

I left work early one day and hurried to my daughter’s house to visit with my 1^st grandchild who was only 3 weeks old.  As I pulled into the driveway, I was so excited to see my daughter sitting on the back porch.  Although we have always been close, we had not spent much time together recently, so I guess I was also looking forward to visiting with her as well as my grandson.  As I got out of my car and walked up the gravel path, I got a better view of my daughter. My heart sank.  She was sitting in a plastic deck chair holding her head in her hands.  She was wearing a blue and white checkered gown (one I had actually given her several years ago, so the blue was somewhat blue-gray-faded and the white was a bit yellowed.)  Her long brown hair (usually beautiful and shiny) looked dull and matted.  It was piled half-way upon her head, barely clasped with a spring clip on the top.  On one side of her face, strands of her hair that had missed the clasp hung down covering part of her face.  When she heard me walk up, she lifted her head from her hands, looked at me and started bawling.  She cried for a full 4 minutes without stopping.  She said, “I can’t do this.  Mama, I can’t do this.  I don’t know how to take care of a baby.  I don’t know what to do when he cries and won’t stop. I haven’t had a shower in 3 days.  He is up all night and all day.  I’m trying to nurse but it isn’t working.  I don’t know how to do that.  I think he’s hungry and I can’t satisfy him.  Ben (her husband) is working all day, then comes in, changes clothes, and goes back out to deliver pizzas till midnight, just to be able to buy diapers.  Mama, they are so expensive.  I feel like a failure as a mother.  I don’t know what to do.  I can’t keep going like this.  What am I going to do?”

My heart was breaking...I knew my daughter was a loving, caring, smart, all-together type of person.  How could she be suffering from Postpartum Depression? This did not seem like her at all.  But what could I do? I simply loved her through it. First, I took care of my grandson while she took a shower and a nap.  I then encouraged her to get out and get physically active, and also to specifically schedule time with friends.  After all, she had the perfect babysitter…me!  The next few months were pretty tough, but with help she soon became her “old self.”

Sometimes, the experience of being a new mom can be a bit overwhelming.  You are not alone.  In fact, over 50% of ALL moms experience “baby blues” symptoms. And over 12% of all postpartum women experience some of the symptoms of postpartum depression, including feeling sad, intensely anxious, worthless or incompetent, and feeling inadequate to cope with an infant.

When these “overwhelming feelings” get out of control, please know there IS help.  You may feel like you are in a dark tunnel headed to a horrible end, but be encouraged….there IS a light at the end of the tunnel!  And the tunnel is not as long as you think!  In the meantime, you can help yourself by being physically active, spending fun time with friends, eating healthy foods, and being intentional about relaxing.  Hope Clinic for Women can also help.  We provide postpartum counseling on a sliding scale making this affordable for anyone. Please consider seeing one of our professional counselors who can provide an assessment and counseling through this difficult time. If needed, our Nurse Practitioner can prescribe medication to help as well.

Postpartum Depression does not have to keep you down. With the right help, you too can make it through the tunnel where there is light abundant at the end!


Marie Gilland, LMSW is the Client Program Director at Hope Clinic for Women. She has 7 years of experience in Counseling. Marie received her master's degree in social work from the University of Tennessee and her undergraduate degree in psychology from Tennessee State University. She previously worked as the Child Welfare Program Coordinator at Catholic Charities in Nashville, TN. Marie has lived in the Nashville area for 37 years and has 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.   

Parenting: The Greatest (and Hardest) Job in the World

After 24 years of working with families, you would think I would have all the answers.  The reality is that I don’t.  People ask me all the time, “How do you talk with your children about certain subjects?”  I then ask them to specify what they are talking about.  The answer is often about sex, drugs, alcohol, dating and other subjects.  I think to myself, “Why are you asking me?”  Then I stop and think about how nervous and afraid I was when doing this with my own children.  The world can be overwhelming to parents on a daily basis. 

In the United States you have to have a license to drive, hunt, fish, and work in many different fields such as medicine, law and therapy.  We study for these exams and read books and listen to teachers who have years of experience.  For parenting, there are no classes or exams that you have to take, and you can't really count on the information that's out there.  It is all about life experience. 

I have found over the years that the best way to talk about these subjects with your children it to be totally honest with them.  Is it scary? Sure it is!  Children and teens are very inquisitive and want to know what you think about things.  They may not come out and say it, but they want and need your input.   Hear me on this: They want you to talk with them about these subjects. 

Let me give you a few tips I have used in the past and it turned out pretty well for me.  First, communicate openly with your children.  If they ask a question, no matter how young they are, answer it.  If you don’t know the answer, tell them you will find out and get back to them.  Remember, the reason they asked the question is because they have heard about it at school or from a friend.  I believe you would rather have the answer come from you than from a friend who has no clue what they are talking about.  Secondly, hear what your children are saying.  We all listen to our children but are we really hearing what they are saying?  There is a big difference.  And lastly, make these conversations a daily thing.  Talking with your children about sex, drugs, and other tough subjects is not a one-time gig.  It should occur every day.   Be open, honest and transparent with your children.  They may act like they “already know all this”, but in the end, your children will respect you more than ever before.  It shows that you have an undying love and concern for your child.  Don’t be afraid;  you can do this!

If you need help in any way, Hope Clinic for Women can help.  We offer a parenting program that will teach you how to talk to your children about all these subjects and many more.  Just remember, it does not show weakness to ask for help when you need it.

Terry Cheatham has worked with teens and their parents for more than 20 years.  He currently serves as a counselor at Hope Clinic for Women, where he specializes in male and couples counseling, parental issues, and prevention education. In addition, he serves as an adjunct professor of psychology at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.  Terry received his bachelor’s degree in law from Abilene Christian University and his master’s degree in counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University.  Terry and his wife, Karise, have three children.

Let Freedom Ring!

July is all about the 4^th. It is honored with fireworks, food and friends. It is a time to celebrate our freedom from Great Britain and the Declaration of Independence. Over the years, we have challenged what that document means for us today. (Just consider the fact that in the 220-plus years since ratification of the Constitution, more than 11,000 amendments have been proposed, but only 27 have been enacted.) 

Today there is nothing we seem to fight more strongly about than our right to ‘bear arms’ and the right for women to ‘choose’. I don’t see either of these debates ending quickly, but what I love is that Hope Clinic for Women is tackling one of these issues practically with enormous compassion and grace. Just over 10 years ago, I didn’t know a place like this even existed. Today I am so proud of the women and men who work (paid and unpaid) directly with our clients and those who financially keep our doors open. If the rest of the world could step into our doors for just one day, they just might stop fighting so much because we are a safe place in this midst of this tough issue and every day our client already wins.

At Hope Clinic, women and men CHOOSE to call us and ask us questions. They choose to walk in the door. They are not shamed or guilted into coming here. They are simply invited. They choose to receive the care we have to offer. They choose to hear about all of the options in front of them if they are pregnant. They choose to continue care with us or walk out the door. They choose to come back to us for counseling if they have an abortion and find it did not just ‘go away’, and they never hear: ‘I told you so’. They choose to talk about God. They choose to enter our Bridge Program which includes access to spiritual mentorship, professional counseling, education classes and practical support. They choose to meet with someone if they are dealing with an STD, related women’s issues, other pregnancy loss, or postpartum depression.

Recently, we have dealt with a spike in our pregnant women suffering from a miscarriage. Something that happens in 25% of all pregnancies. It has been a burden for them and the staff. How do you handle that? But we are thankful clients choose to process that grief with us. They choose how long they grieve and how they grieve. And they choose to let us hold their hand.

Mostly I celebrate that our clients choose life. Life for their baby. Life for themselves. Life in general. And they do that because at some point they choose HOPE. When they are faced with their crisis, they choose to let this be an opportunity to change vs. the choice to give up.

This month you celebrate your freedom, which includes your freedom to make a whole lot of choices: what you eat for the day, whether you exercise, go to work, go to church, serve your community, be nice to the cranky but possibly exhausted person behind the register at Walgreens, show grace and forgiveness or hold a grudge, speak well of someone or gossip…..you get the idea. I just ask you take a moment to celebrate that people of Middle Tennessee have the freedom to choose Hope Clinic for Women. And that’s a good choice!

Have a blessed and happy 4th of July!

Renée Rizzo
President/CEO

Living in the 'in between time'

How do we live in the ‘in between time’?

Some of my fondest memories growing up were Easter Sundays.  In an Italian home, it was all about the sweet Easter bread that my mom spent hours kneading, breading, and baking.  Then, there was the pizé gran pie (you haven’t lived until you have tasted this decadent grain pie that is basically a breakfast version of cheesecake). But, of course I loved the floral Easter dresses, bonnets, black patent shoes and white lace gloves. New Life abounded everywhere from Church to the homes we visited. Even though I went to services on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, the reality of those days didn’t really sink in until frankly The Passion of the Christ. Then it became more than I could bear.

Recently though, I have been meditating on the in between time. Those endless hours between Jesus’ death on the Cross and the realization of His resurrection. Even though Jesus told his disciples that he would return, they obviously were not fully aware what He meant since they were all holed up in the upper room versus waiting right outside His grave for His grand re-entrance. On one hand, I simply cannot imagine what that kind of waiting must have felt like. The hopelessness. The despair. The ‘sick to your stomach’ pain.

But then again, we do know what that waiting feels like, don’t we? The waiting for your child to return home after years of addiction and prayers that seem to go unanswered. The Godly spouse you have prayed decades for. The womb you have prayed would not remain barren. The job you desperately need while bills are mounting. The child who has died who you cannot wait to be reunited with in Heaven.  So many of these seasons of our life can overwhelm us as we wait in the ‘in between time’.

If you have lived long enough, you have lived in this season. You know what it feels like. And you wish the ‘future you’ would show up to tell you just how much longer you have to wait before God reveals Himself. My guess is as long as we cling to His promises deep in our heart, God can handle all the crying, the doubts, the questions, the accusations we can hurl at Him. Because God does His best work in this darkness. He brings the dead to life.

My prayer this Easter is that you reflect on all the seasons of darkness in your life. Jot them down, but also write down when God did finally show up. Write of those blessings. Have those nearby so when a new season of waiting is upon you, you can look at it with eyes filled of hope. Hope that will never fail us no matter how long we wait.

My prayer is that you are reminded how much He has already given you, how much He loves you, how much He desires to truly connect with you, and How much He delights in you. 

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

Healthy Relationships

You cannot help but notice that Valentine’s Day is upon us.  A quick errand at any grocery store or pharmacy quickly reminds you with all the pink, red, heart-shaped candy, and teddy bears that February 14^th is coming.   Some of you love this holiday; others dread it and sarcastically call it “Single Awareness Day.”  Regardless, if you are married or dating someone, you are in a relationship.  Actually you are in many relationships (parent/ child, sibling(s), coworkers, friends, church family, etc.).  At Hope Clinic, we hope you choose and maintain healthy relationships.  

You do not get into a relationship hoping it will be unhealthy, but you may not be intentional enough to work for a healthy relationship.  Healthy relationships rarely happen without having certain goals and mutually agreed upon standards for the relationship.  Healthy relationships need people with healthy identities, who want certain characteristics of their relationship, and who will agree upon and maintain boundaries. 

Healthy vs Unhealthy Identity

You get many messages from society regarding what you should value and what you should be like.  Choosing which messages to believe and internalize affects your identity.  Women hear that their appearance is what really matters (skinny, sexy, beautiful), that they need a man to be happy, that men are basically dogs that need to be tamed, and as a woman you better have your act together.  Men hear that they need to be tough, athletic, that boys will be boys when it comes to sex, and money is what really matters.  Internalizing these messages leads to an unhealthy identity. 

A healthy identity is based on God’s message to you.  You are created in the image of God to have a relationship with God and to care for the world and others as God’s representative.   Through God’s son, Jesus, you are given access to a relationship with God and the responsibility to be God’s representative.  Therefore, you can have mutually respectful relationships, reach for positive goals, use your powers to help others, and enjoy life without having to use alcohol or have a lot of money.  What are you basing your image on, the world’s message or God’s?      

Characteristics of Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships

Unhealthy relationships are characterized by self-centeredness, abuse (physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and withholding of care), lack of trust, lack of respect, secrecy, poor communication, an unforgiving spirit, and poor boundaries.  Healthy relationships are characterized interdependence, trust, respect, open communication, honesty, healthy intimacy, forgiveness, and mutually agreed upon boundaries.   Reviewing the list, you will unlikely find any of your relationships perfectly meeting the list of healthy characteristics.  Perfection is not the goal, but progress.  Are you and the other person willing to progress towards a healthy relationship?  Are there more characteristics of the relationship being healthy than unhealthy?  Are you settling on a partner because you think you don’t deserve better or cannot find another?   What would God want for your relationship, for it to be improved, continued, or stopped? 

Boundaries

Healthy relationships have positive mutually agreed upon boundaries.  A boundary is like a fence in a yard.  A fence protects what is valuable (keeps people out and valuables in like a child or pet), shows others where your property starts and stops, and they are not easily moved.  Personal boundaries are designed to protect and honor important parts of our lives.  They are created to clarify what are acceptable and unacceptable behaviors from others.  If your goal is for sexual purity, then set boundaries.  If you are single and on a date, mutually agree to not be alone in an apartment or bedroom together.  If you’re married, your boundary could be to never be alone with the opposite sex unless you are related.  Boundaries only help if you set them in advance and communicate them with others.       

Hope Clinic’s prevention team aims to counsel and educate clients and the public about healthy relationships.  While this article was not exhaustive on choosing and maintaining healthy relationships, we want you to know that we are here for you.  We provide confidential consultation, individual counseling, relationship accountability, off-site group discussions, and other services.  If you would like us to help you in one or more of your relationship(s), please contact us.   

Blessings,

Patrick Hamilton, M.Div.

Male Prevention Coordinator

Year-end Letter from CEO

“There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”  ― C.S. Lewis

I think C.S. Lewis might be referring to our life in our final home with our Father but I think it is a great perspective as we begin the New Year. 2013 was an incredible year for Hope Clinic. That doesn’t mean it was perfect for sure. But this side of Heaven I am beyond expecting that. Instead I have learned to see the beauty of both the blessings and the shortcomings.

Our client numbers continued to climb in every category and their stories continue to amaze me. You would think after 10 years I would become complacent about their stories, but I am not. They feed my soul every time.

Our volunteers put in more hours than ever before and our internship program at the colleges continues to be strong. I am thankful everyday people give up their time to be here and do some really hard work. It is not easy to enter the lives of our clients. Their road is bumpy and filled with healthy and unhealthy choices. These volunteers pour their hearts out whether it is directly with a client, in the prayer room, stuffing mailings, or folding clothes in the maternity/baby room. 

And people like you, who met every financial need we faced this year…even ones we were not expecting, like broken pipes and a broken furnace. I am so in awe every December when over $100,000 arrives at our door in less than two weeks. I worry at times that my awe shows me how little my faith must be, but I have come to accept that this awe each year is the kind of awe we must have in Heaven. The realization of this amazing gift that we could never earn. The kind of awe that brings you to your knees.

Thank you for being a part of this tapestry. I believe your gift is marked for eternity. I pray you are blessed this New Year and that you feel God’s love and care through every moment.

Blessings,

Renee