Cristina Calabrese Strength for the Journey

"Hope."  This word can mean so many different things to so many people.  To me my hope is like a reservoir of emotional strength.  Hope is the desire for something good in the future.  A biblical hope is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future.


Biblical hope not only desires something good for the future; it expects it to happen.  And it not only expects; it is confident that it will happen.  There is a moral certainty that the good we expect and desire will be done.


The darkest hour usually comes like a thief in the night.  Even if the circumstances of life have pointed out warning signs of eminent danger, it still hits us like a fist in the stomach.  The darkest hour seems like a moment in time we would all like to avoid.  But what if the darkest hour comes and brings us to a place of needed life change.  Sometimes the darkest hour brings healing to the broken, hope to the hopeless, wisdom to the foolish.  Sometimes God's voice can be heard better and louder in the darkest hour than in the full light of the day when everything is going good.  With the darkest hour taunting me of its forbidding presence, I have a decision to make in how I will walk through it with fear and trepidation of things to come.  But I know:


For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but power and of love and a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:17


My other option is to walk through the possibility of the darkest hour with my heart, eyes, ears, mind and soul focused on Jesus, trusting Him to take the darkest hour and call out His name no matter how bound.  Through focusing on Jesus I find my peace when peace make no sense.  he is my rock.  He is my fortress.


2 Peter 1:3 says, " divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life THROUGH our knowledge of him."  It is THOUGH my knowledge of Him, My Savior, My Redeemer and My healer that I have hope for my beautiful daughter Cristina Marie. 


This site is dedicated to her - a warrior; an overcomer; a survivor.


My journal entries are my heart.  They are raw.  Unsolicited.  Coming from a place of brokenness.  Words that come to mind are humility, trust, surrender, unity, family, and friends.


My life story is one of HOPE.  How God reached down into the literal "pit of hell" ad pulled me out.  Out of drugs, sex, and self.  A life defined by the sexual abuse I suffered at the hand of my cousin at age 3.


I know your pain my love.  I know that place of self protection.  I am familiar tih the "masks" we have to wear to feel "accepted and loved."


It is my heartfelt prayer that you will come and walk through this with me and my family and that you will somehow be changed to see the beauty  and magnificence of Our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.


I want to remember the moments.  Your Joy.  I want to remember that you ARE a fighter just like me  You have been hurt in so many ways from so many people especially those you loved and trusted...those who should have protected you.  Those you trusted should have been your friends... And like me you hardened your heart.  Determined to live life your way...safely.  Self protected.  Independent.  Ultimately a loner.


Welcome to our Cristina's story.  We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.