HOPE40 - Day 25 - I Will Never Forget You

Week 5: HOPE IN THE CROSS

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“Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb? Even should she forget, I will never forget you.” – Isaiah 49:15

In times of suffering, you may feel forgotten, abandoned, or unseen. The weight of the cross you carry...whether it be illness, personal trials, grief, or waiting for prayers to be answered...can tempt you to believe that God is distant. But this passage reassures us that even when human love fails, God’s love never does.

The Cross is the ultimate sign of this promise. Jesus, in His suffering, appeared forsaken. And yet, the Father’s plan was unfolding even in the darkness of Calvary. The Cross did not end in despair, it led to resurrection. When you embrace our own cross, trusting in God’s love, you can find hope even in the midst of suffering.

Isaiah also speaks of restoration, of prisoners being freed, the hungry being fed, and those in darkness finding light. This is the fruit of Christ’s sacrifice. He has not forgotten you. He is leading you through your suffering, shaping you in love, and calling you to trust in His unfailing care.

When you are in the midst of a trial and suffering greatly, these words can sometimes feel like just words. It’s okay to be frustrated, angry, sad, and heartbroken. God does not ask you to suppress your emotions or pretend they do not exist. In fact, He invites you to bring them to Him; honestly, openly, and without fear. The Psalms are filled with cries of lament, anguish, and longing, reminding us that even the greatest saints wrestled with sorrow and pain.

Processing your emotions is an important part of healing. Ignoring them or pushing them aside doesn’t make them disappear; instead, they can build up, making your suffering heavier. Instead, you are called to acknowledge them, to sit with them before the Lord, and to let Him into your pain. It is in this place of surrender that He begins to work...not necessarily by taking the suffering away, but by strengthening you through it. This is where hope in the cross transforms your suffering. The cross teaches you that suffering is not meaningless, that in Christ, every pain and trial can be redeemed. When you unite your suffering with His, it becomes a place of grace, where He meets you, strengthens you, and leads you toward resurrection.

You don’t want to stay in that place of despair. Suffering can be overwhelming, but you are never meant to carry your cross alone. Know that you are not alone. God is with you in every moment, in every tear, in every question that feels unanswered. He has given you an army of support...your guardian angel, the Blessed Mother, the communion of saints, and the people around you who love you. When the weight feels too heavy, turn to them. Ask for what you need: prayer, companionship, wisdom, or even just a listening ear.

Sometimes, the hardest part is reaching out. You might believe you should be strong enough to handle things on your own. But true strength is found in humility, the humility to admit your struggles, to seek help, and to allow others to walk with you.

Hope in the cross does not mean that suffering instantly disappears. It means that suffering is not the end of the story. Jesus carried His cross, fell beneath its weight, and yet, He persevered. He invites you to do the same - not in your own strength, but in His. He sees you, He hears you, and He will not leave you where you are. Bring your heart to Him, lean on the ones He has placed in your life, and trust that even in the darkest moments, He is leading you toward the light.

Something to Think About:

Are there moments in my life where I feel forgotten by God? How does this scripture and reflection reassure me?

Let Us Pray

Dear Lord, When I feel weary, when I struggle to see Your hand in my suffering, remind me that You have not forgotten me. Just as a mother never forgets her child, Your love for me is deeper than I can imagine. Help me to trust in Your plan, to carry my cross with hope, and to remember that in You, suffering is never wasted. May my burdens become a path to greater union with You, knowing that resurrection always follows the Cross.

Amen

HOPE For Your Health - Uniting Sacrifice with Christ

Today, I plan on breaking my fast with some bone broth and a piece of toasted spelt bread around 11AM. It just sounds good to me.

St. Hildegard of Bingen recommended breaking a fast with something warm rather than cold because warmth supports digestion and helps the body transition more gently from a fasting state to eating. Cold foods, on the other hand, can shock the digestive system, making it harder for the body to properly absorb nutrients and function optimally.

She particularly advised starting the day or breaking a fast with warm foods like spelt porridge, herbal teas, or broth, as these nourish and strengthen the stomach.

According to her wisdom, warm foods help "rekindle the digestive fire," ensuring that the body can efficiently process nutrients and maintain balance.

Incorporating this into your intermittent fasting, a warm bone broth, herbal infusion, or a lightly cooked meal can be a good way to honor both fasting and nourishment, aligning with St. Hildegard’s holistic approach to food as medicine.

HOPE For Your Marriage: Perseverance in Trials

Marriage, like faith, is a journey that requires hope and trust, especially in seasons of trial. There are times when the weight of daily life, miscommunication, or struggles beyond your control can make you feel distant from one another. Perhaps you feel unseen in your sacrifices or discouraged by challenges that don’t seem to end. But today’s passage reminds us of an essential truth: God never forgets us. His love remains constant, even when we feel lost or weary.

In marriage, perseverance means clinging to this truth, even when emotions waver or difficulties arise. Just as Jesus endured the Cross knowing resurrection was ahead, you are called to carry your own crosses within marriage; whether that be a season of suffering, the struggle to forgive, or the challenge of growing together through change. The Cross is not the end of the story, and neither are the struggles in marriage. When you surrender your burdens to Christ, He transforms them, strengthening your love and drawing you deeper into communion with one another. This takes time and perseverance, but I assure you that it is worth it.

Challenge:

Listen to this podcast:

Restore the Glory Podcast - Unity in Marriage - Part 1

This is Part 1 of a 3 part series on strengthening your marriage.

INA'S TURKEY BURGERS

Do you need something quick, easy and healthy for dinner tonight? Try these turkey burgers from Ina Garten. I like to go bun-less and have my burger over a bed of spinach or arugula with extra mustard, fresh chopped fennel and sauerkraut! Click the picture to go to the original recipe.

INGREDIENTS

1 lb. ground turkey
1 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
4 Tbsp olive oil

INSTRUCTIONS

In a medium bowl, combine the ground turkey, mayo, mustard, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and parsley.
Wet your hands and then form the mixture into four 1/2 inch thick burger.
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the burger and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.
Enjoy hot with your favorite sides.