The Hope Haven

The Hope Haven

Yes this is a religious/spiritual blog post. I can't help it. I won't try to. All I can say is that something, somewhere, loves me unconditionally. Whether one calls it Buddha, Jehovah, Jesus, Allah, or the Universe, I call it God.

Today, I visited the Hope Haven. A sacred and sanctified room close to the corner of 112th and Superior in Cleveland, Ohio. A very special woman named Yvonne Pointer (Google her) invited me in this place for the second time. It is a place of peace, healing, and rejuvenation. There have been hundreds of guests in the Hope Haven. However, today was my day to reside in its dwellings.

I sat quietly as the presence of God surrounded me. I was once again comfortable, safe, worry free. The Hope Haven is truly a piece of heaven on earth. I grabbed an inspirational self help book, and began to get lost in the pages. A powerful sermon played in the background rebuking anything not of God and good, and purified my spirit and soul. I sipped my fruit flavored hot tea spiced perfectly with lemon and honey (only angels know the perfect recipe, you're not fooling me Dr. Pointer). I then surrendered all, and allowed the spirit of God to have its way.

At 8:00 pm eastern time, we were live on Facebook in the Hope Haven. It's no surprise that tonight's theme was hope. Never lose hope. Yes, you're going through hard times... But God. Always have hope.

Dr.Pointer shared the story of Harrison O'kene, a Nigerian man who was trapped in a shipwreck at the bottom of the ocean for three days. She said that our homework was to watch the video of his rescue. I had already been uplifted by my time in the Hope Haven. Yet, after I watched the video of Mr. O'kene's rescue, and listened to his voice tell his testimony, I literally lost it.

In the video of his testimony, the words he said struck the right chord in my spirit. He said, "God I have called on you before and you have never failed at all once in my life." All I could think about was how God has never failed me yet. No matter how many poor decisions or bad choices I've made, God hasn't failed me yet. No matter how many times I've failed MYSELF, God hasn't failed me yet!

I've never been homeless or hungry. I've never been addicted to alcohol or drugs. I've never been to prison or jail. I've been blessed with so much abundance. I've dodged so many bullets mentally, spiritually and physically. Someone, some where, loves me UNCONDITIONALLY. And I've learned that when you trust it, Him or Her, you will realize that some how, some way, everything is going to be alright.

When you really sit back and reflect, and look back over your life, has He failed you yet? If you're still here, the answer is no. Each day you are walking this earth, is another chance for you to live your dreams, improve your life, and help others. I could say so much more but I will leave you with this:

When you feel depressed, sad, alone, or feel like giving up, remind yourself that you are still here.

Tough times don't last. Tough people do.

You've come this far, don't turn back now.

Joy comes in the morning.