One sunny day in April, Pepper was waiting on the bottom of a playground slide for her two-year-old daughter, Hannah, when a branch suddenly collapsed overhead, crushing Hannah’s tiny body underneath. Airlifted to the children’s hospital, Pepper and her husband, Jerry, waited six grueling days, before being told they had to make a decision no parent should ever have to make. I sat with her, cried with her (more like sobbed), and prayed with her. The peace Pepper had went beyond understanding.

So many unforeseen blessings have come from this tragedy. Pepper has inspired countless moms to HAVE FAITH in the face of unbelievable heartbreak. She once told me that even though losing her daughter nearly destroyed her, helping other parents gave her hope. Hannah’s heart was donated to another child who was on a waitlist for a heart transplant. That girl is now a beautiful, thriving seventeen-year-old, whom family and friends say has a heart of gold! Pepper and Jerry had another baby they named, appropriately, Hope. Now a teenager, Hope is Pepper’s constant reminder of what it feels like to HAVE FAITH.

Ten years later, Pepper’s faith again collided with her circumstances. Her husband Jerry began complaining of headaches. Within days, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer that had spread to his brain. He passed away ten weeks later. If anyone had a reason to lose their faith, it was Pepper. Yet, there she stood, celebrating Jerry’s life, just as he had asked her to do. Again, unexplainable peace.

I’ve always admired Pepper. Her smile, her heart for others, and the love she brings to so many. She has unbelievable faith and continues to inspire others. In her own words, “If you’re in a worst of times scenario, keep going. It is painful, but the other side is usually a good thing”.

A few days ago, a friend was told that his cancer had retuned. Another friend is grieving the loss of a loved one. Thousands have lost their homes to recent natural disasters and others are out of work, desperate to put food on the table for their families.

I just felt inspired to say: Don’t give up. Keep trying. HAVE FAITH. Something good will come from this situation. You may not see it now, but if you HAVE FAITH, one day you will experience unforeseen blessings!

“Faith means that you have peace even when you don’t have all the answers.” —Joyce Meyer

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