Trials and hardship have a way of refining us, and strengthening our hope and trust in the Lord. However, when we're in the midst of struggles, we feel alone, and like no one else could possibly understand what we're going through.

The purpose of Holy Leisure in Hard Places is to create a body of stories of people who've gone through difficult circumstances and have found Jesus to be sufficient through it all. We may come out of our trial walking with a limp, but we've also come out more reliant and more in love with the Lord. (This in and of itself is a work of grace, is it not?!)

2 Cor 1:3-4 says, Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

My hope is I can help you tell your story and to share how the Lord was gracious to you even in some really difficult seasons of your life. I want it to reflect your experience, and be a tool you can use to share your story with others. It's also my hope that it will offer encouragement to someone else, at some point in time, when they need the assurance that they are not alone in their suffering.

Please keep in mind that the goal is for this post to be about 2,000 words. I know that sounds like a lot, but it often requires a lot of editing to keep it flowing and engaging for the reader. We want to give details that enhance the story, but don't bog the reader down.  (In other words, please don't be offended if I have to edit some things out.)

Thanks so much for giving me this honor of sharing your story!