“Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
Romans 8:24-25
Yesterday I invited you to share some of the things you are focusing on in your homes, blogs, businesses or relationships. Many of you mentioned both something you hope for and some way it scares you: introverts making plans to open up; writers wanting to write more; mothers longing to release their tight grip of control. Some of you have hope that can’t be articulated with words but you know the familiar simmer of hope and scary in your heart.
If you’ve read my book or this blog for any amount of time, then you know that my dad is an alcoholic. He says he drank three quarts of beer a day for fourteen years. It’s important for me to follow that sentence with this one: he has been sober for over twenty years, loves Jesus, and has good sense. But the use and abuse of alcohol is part of our family history, for better or worse.
It seems to me the people most qualified to talk about hope are the ones who have been hopeless and lived to tell about it. Dad knows hopeless. Yet, he lives. And now he’s telling about it.
Back in October he wrote 31 Days of Scary Hope. Now, he has expanded and refined that series into a free ebook. It’s called Scary Hope: Courage and a kick to hug hope, face fear, and get going. I’ve read it. Twice. Both times, I cried at different parts. Not because it was sad, but because it was true.
Hope, wonderful hope! The bright sun in the morning, the ring of twelve-string guitars, fresh red strawberries, sleeping puppies, giggling babies, inspiring choruses that never end, and the way the air smells giddy on a surprising warm afternoon in March after a long frozen winter. That’s how your dream of fulfilled hope feels, only better. But first, the scary. Do you really want change? You know you have a longing, a hope. Maybe you don’t even know exactly what it looks like. But you yearn and you dream for something beyond your reach. You have the hope, but do you want the change?
Gary Morland, Scary Hope
If you can’t quite articulate your hope yet, might I recommend Scary Hope? Dad is a storyteller, a noticer, and an encourager. His words help me see things. And as a bonus for you who may be or know an alcoholic, you can read the first two chapters of his story, From Beer to Eternity, at the end of Scary Hope.
my Mom and Dad
I’m really excited about this book, not just because of what it says but because of what it represents to me personally. My parents do not come from a long line of believers. They come from brokenness, addiction, and fear. And yet. They put their trust in a God who takes great delight in making beauty out of ash, so now we have a new heritage as a family. God is doing a new thing and because of this scary hope, I have a different and redeemed story to hand to my children and to my grandchildren. And so can you.
It takes just a few seconds to download the PDF of Scary Hope for free and read it on your computer. It may be about an hour to read. I just realized I’ve called him Dad this whole post. His name is Gary and you can read his blog or follow him on twitter @garedog919. And also? How cool is it that my dad, my sister and I have blogs? Useless trivia – which one of us do you think was the first to start one?
Was it you?
I read your dad’s 31 Days series when you linked to it one of your posts. I had to go back from there and read them all. To have it in ebook form is going to be great! Thanks to you and to your dad.
Emily,
I look forward to reading your Dad’s book. I’ve been sober for just over 10 years. HOPE is one of favorite words and one of my favorite topics. LOVE what God can do with seemingly hopeless situations!!
I’m so glad to hear that, Eileen!
Sweetness and sincerity…I love this post.
Looking forward to reading the ebook. Thank your for sharing. God bless you today.
How exciting !!!!! I’m so thrilled for you dad, and that you can share such a beautiful story of redemption! Amen, and Amen!
Emily, thank you to you and your dad for sharing this. “Do you want the change?”. Exactly the question I need to answer. Looking forward to gleaning from your dad’s wisdom.
emily,
once again, your title alone ministers to me greatly. it’s as if you speak a language of the emotions that i was not taught. and in it, i am reminded of a liberating permission — the permission i have in Him to be fragile. knowing full well that i am in the palm of His strong, but gentle hand. my fragile soul nurtured, cared for, and protected.
because hope is indeed scary. and lately, i’ve been struggling with misplacing it right and left. my flesh ruthlessly gravitates toward hoping in circumstancial comfort. when in reality, the only place where my soul can ever find comfort is in Him.
He alone is soul rest.
again, thank you.
Your sentence “my flesh ruthlessly gravitates toward hoping in circumstancial comfort. when in reality, the only place where my soul can ever find comfort is in Him.” stopped me in my tracks. Thank you for that.
you’re welcome, claire. it’s been a battle that has been an intense one for me the past couple of months, but He continues to ever-so-patiently (keep) reminding me that these battles are not mine to fight, but His. He stands ready to relieve me of the weight of fighting them the very moment i whisper His name.
I love your dad’s blog. It’s spoke to me plenty of times lately. Gonna check out his book. Thanks for showing it here!
Love, love! Can’t wait to read Scary Hope. And I don’t know, but maybe the Nester was the first blog. I never win at Trivial Pursuit. Downloading now.
I got the book and tried to download to my kindle from my computer. Wouldn’t let me open it.
Is there a Kindle version? {I rarely read at my computer.} No problem if not…just figured I’d check. 
No kindle version yet, but soon!
Never mind. Fixed it! Yay. Downloaded it through my USB and it worked. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this! I look forward to reading it. Incidentally, my dad’s name is Gary, too.
Emily, I look forward to reading your dad’s ebook. Scary hope is such a good way to describe it. Half the time I think hope scares because I’m afraid to look foolish if what I’m hoping for does not come to pass.
Blessings on you and your family. I relate to the miracle of standing on the shoulders of my parents, who’d come from such brokenness and pain, to have a different legacy to pass on to our dear ones. Thanks be to God, the giver of every good gift.
I love your dad. My husband and I read all the posts of “From Beer to Eternity.” I downloaded the book and am excited to read it so thanks for sharing! Also, that ferris wheel picture is fab. I would totally blow that up and hang it in my house. Did you take it?
Thanks girl. Yes, I took it.
I can’t wait to download and read this once I’m settled back at home. I always, always need hope. Thank you for sharing.
this. makes. me. glad. all of it.
My Dad’s name is also Gary. And, he too is an alcoholic. Just reading this brings tears to my eyes. I have read your father’s blog, and cried. It gives me hope for my own Dad. I used to tippy-toe around him when it came to sharing my faith but not since my Mom had colon cancer. I now have a boldness I never knew before and I no longer try to contain it, it just spills over. Being faced with losing someone you love seems to do that, you know, put things in perspective. The hope of seeing my Dad freed from alcohol overrides the scary of confronting him with eternity. Thank you, and your father, for your openness. God bless ya’ll real big!!
Love this. Already downloaded the book. I am halfway through, and cannot stop reading. It is wonderful. Thank you!
I love your dad already. I downloaded his book when I was in MN visiting my father-in-law, who just two weeks ago was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. The minute I saw your mention of your dad’s book about hope, I knew I had to grab it. Thank you, Emily and Gary — this is just exactly what I need in a hard, hard time.
Oh, God and His timing. I blogged today about some truthful things that are scary and hard for me, but that God has been preparing my heart for them and reminding me, of all things, that He brings Hope, and He is trustworthy. I’m excited to follow up on this and find more about what your dad has to say on Scary Hope.
Praise God for Hope — a glorious anticipation of His fulfilled promises, and not just something we wish might happen.
I love the ferris wheel pic — it reminds me of one we rode in Osaka, Japan, when we were doing a dance show there. They said it was the largest in the world, and it took 30 minutes for 1 revolution!
Happy New Year to you!
Laurie
I’m scared just thinking about reading the book. My mom drinks too much but won’t admit she has a problem. I pray she will come to know Christ… I think it’s the only way she’ll ever kick it. Thanks for sharing this!
It might be late, but this is what I am giving my dad for Christmas. Thank you for sharing Emily. Can’t wait to check out your dad’s blog!
I love your dad’s blog and I love Scary Hope. He’s straight forward – like my dad was before he died in 2006. Thanks for sharing him with the rest of us!
I had already downloaded your dad’s e-book; I started following his blog during the 31 days series. I am amazed at how it is speaking to me. I am reading it slow. Needing to ponder what your dad says.
What a wonderful family thing to all have blogs! I’m guessing that Nester started blogging first.
Random thoughts:
I love your family. I love that God changed its course. I love that God is using each of you in beautiful, far-reaching ways.
I love the cover of your dad’s ebook – though the pic of the bird and the girl from his 31 days series made me smile all of October. How kind of him to make it free. I look forward to reading it.
Your book still resonates with me daily as I learn to live in grace.
Your sister looks so much like your mom! And it still drives me nuts not to know her name!
This reminded me of something I used to say:
“having the hope of having some hope some day” . . .
did it for survival
kept me alive when I was feeling blue
(meaning suicidal, talking between just us two).
Thanks for sharing
YOU were the first to begin a blog? that’s my guess!
scary hope, I’ve not, yet, read…but I shall! thank you for honestly sharing about your tears and emotions. being one of those emotional labile, as I am, makes it all the more meaningful when others share honestly, so thank you, Emily.
“Let your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we hope in you.” Psalm 33:22 that’s a provoking one that we see as an example to pray to the Lord…wondering over it for a long while gives insight to the action of faith and the reward God grants when we are patient in Him
much love email, jasper naomi
What a terrific and beautiful legacy of faith being built here in your family, in the places where fear meets hope.
Emily,
Thank you so much for telling your readers about your dad’s book, Scary Hope. The title caught my attention and I downloaded it immediately. Oh my! I cannot tell you how much the words encouraged and inspired my heart, as well as, my husband’s. Not only were the words timely and exactly what we needed to hear, the time spent reading it together yesterday afternoon was oh so special. I sent a note to your dad, too. But I wanted to let you know, I appreciate you sharing your dad’s story with us. A powerful message of hope from one whose broken has turned into beautiful. What a special dad you have, but of course you already know that : )
I also am eager to jump into your book, Grace for the Good Girl. I received it as a gift this Christmas. I know it will also hold a message for this heart of mine.
Sweet Blessings to you and your family,
Pam
Emily – This comment is intended only to be a little lightheartedness about something that I would never view lightly… however…
I was at your sister’s blog, saw the link about “my dad and scary hope” under the picure and curiousity was peaked… because I totally thought it was about “your dad and scary hope – meaning the woman in the picture’s name was Hope, and perhaps she was your “scary stepmother” or “evil girlfriend” so…. I was glad to see that woman wasn’t “Scary Hope” but it did make me giggle. While I was waiting for the link, thoughts like “What if Scary Hope sees this post” were running through my head, and “I am surprised these sisters would be so bold with their nickname for Dad’s wife/woman, etc!!!
Thought I’d share it with the “hope” you’d get a little light hearted giggle out of it too!
I was actually wondering the same thing at first! But happy to learn his and a piece of your family’s story. I’m going to download the book now–thank you so much for sharing!