To:

The reasoning behind the name "Letters of Hope" comes from my experience interning/working at a residential addiction treatment house. When applying to be promoted for the next level (there are three levels, independence for the resident increases at each level), the guys I work with write what have been called final letters. These are multiple hand-written letters to things or people in their lives that have affected or have been affected by their addiction - the letters could be to their kids, parents, significant other, or it could be to things like their addiction, their past, God, etc. The guys then read these letters out loud to the group that they are in. 

I think there is something beautiful about this process - not only does writing down your own thoughts help you to process, but reading them aloud (or I suppose putting it on a blog) gives a sort of release. I have seen many grown men cry reading letters apologizing to their kids for what they have done, or finally telling their addiction that they are done, forever. In short, these are letters of pain, failure, and despair - but they are also letters of reconciliation, triumph, and most of all, hope. These are letters of hope because, no matter what we have done, or what our letters say, everything is under the love of Christ - and that is something to have hope in.

So one of the things I think that this blog could be used for is a place for people to send their letters - either just as way to get their story out there, and it won't be posted, or, if it's the right time, to send letters and have them posted here, anonymously. I don't know what God has planned for this blog - maybe this is for one person who really needs help right now. If that's you, and you feel like sharing your story could help you, then that's what this blog is for. This whole blog could be for you - one single person - and it would be completely worth it, because that's how much God loves us. He would and has gone to the most extreme lengths to show His love. 

And maybe God wants to use this blog for something we haven't even thought of yet - maybe He wants this blog to be a place where anyone, anytime can share their story and the hope that is in it through Jesus. Whatever is on your heart, share it with us. If you've been struggling with pornography and you're ready to be done, and you want someone to talk to or to pray with you, or to just simply tell someone; we're here. If you know someone who has struggled or still struggles with pornography, and that has affected you, share your story with us. 

We're a family. Brothers and sisters in Christ. One of the most beautiful results of that is that we can share like a family. It's possible you grew up in a family that didn't share anything deeper than what you had for lunch or got on your last exam, or it's possible that you see your family as something barely resembling a family. Whatever the case, let this be a place where your concept of family is totally re-imagined; a place where every member is welcomed and loved equally, where people can share in their struggles, and instead of being judged, they're loved - and where we all love and serve the greatest Father in the universe.  

We'll be posting the first letter in a few days - until then, send in your prayer requests, letters, concerns, ideas, etc.

In His love,

LoH