faith – Brittany Stonestreet

Hope :: Your Story Matters

For those who have been reading my hope blog posts since the beginning, you’re aware of why I created this site, what inspired me to start writing, and—really—the purpose for everything I do. But for those who have only just discovered any part of my writing journey or just come across a single post andContinue reading “Hope :: Your Story Matters”

Hope :: Dust Yourself Off

Oof. You know, just a handful of weeks ago, I wrote a post about being cautiously optimistic and not diving into things head first. I thought I had a better hold on myself (finally) and was approaching life in a different way. Well, this week’s setback proved to me that I am just as committedContinue reading “Hope :: Dust Yourself Off”

Hope :: Being Suspended

Person standing bent backward over rail of suspension bridge with foggy trees in background

You know, I thought having the entire month of July to move would be a great thing! And in a lot of ways it is. But in a few ways, not so much. I love that I didn’t have to rent a moving truck and get the proper parking permits for it. I love thatContinue reading “Hope :: Being Suspended”

Hope :: Avoid the Pain, Avoid Growth

soil and sprouts with seed pods still attached

Disclaimer: As always with these sorts of posts, I will never condone abuse of any sort. When I speak of pain, I do not mean from abuse from another person. If you are experiencing abuse, it is always my goal to help you seek asylum and find a way to freedom. I will be theContinue reading “Hope :: Avoid the Pain, Avoid Growth”

Hope :: Finding the Bright Side

Storm clouds with lightning flashing through

You know, in today’s world, it’s really easy to become cynical. It’s easy to be pessimistic and lose sight of hope . . . without even realizing it’s happening. My mom used to talk about my optimism and how I could find the positive in anything. It used to seem like a superpower of mine. Until, suddenly,Continue reading “Hope :: Finding the Bright Side”

Hope :: Be Brave

Child leaping from cliff ledge to cliff ledge

Happy Wednesday! I can’t say it’s been a super busy two weeks, but what I can say is that my schedule has been very off, thus causing me to miss posting last week and getting behind schedule to post this week (hence why this post is coming out at 1:00 p.m. instead of 6:00 a.m.),Continue reading “Hope :: Be Brave”

Hope :: When You’re Feeling Hopeless…

chainlink fence in front of trees with three white signs with black letters, first sign "Don't give up," second sign, "you are not alone," third sign "you matter"

I have a confession to make. . . I don’t always feel hopeful. (Gasp!) I know, right? Such a shock! Well, not really. If you’re an avid reader of my blog, or even a sometimes reader of it, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I struggle. There are moments when I feel like I’m hangingContinue reading “Hope :: When You’re Feeling Hopeless…”

Hope :: Time Moves On

Many wooden clocks with white faces, all set at different times

You know, it’s been more than a year and a half since I moved to Boston, more than three years since my dad died and since I left my steady ministry job in California. My nephew is about to turn four! It’s been almost eight years since I resigned from my teaching position and almostContinue reading “Hope :: Time Moves On”

Hope :: Season of Sacrifice

For those who follow the Christian calendar, two Wednesdays ago was Ash Wednesday and it kicked off the season of Lent. This means it’s a season of giving up something for the forty days leading up to Easter. Growing up, it was only my Catholic friends who participated in Lent, so I never thought anythingContinue reading “Hope :: Season of Sacrifice”

Hope :: Be Yourself

Happy Monday, dear readers! I know there wasn’t a post last week, but I wanted to bring us back to Mondays being our posting day. What better way to start off our week than with a bit of hope? I’ve written this post several times. Each time it hasn’t quite come across right because I’veContinue reading “Hope :: Be Yourself”