What's HOPE Got to Do with It? #BlogParty2011

This is a re-post from 2010 and I share it again because it speaks to the power of hanging on to hope when circumstances are at their worst. I don't know what you're going through today, or what might be just around the next corner, but I do know this: there is ALWAYS hope!!

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My mom has been doing some research into her family's genealogy. She has been coming across some very interesting findings. For example, her ancestors going back several generations on her dad's side, lived in a community in Florida called Amelia. We never knew this when we named our first born, but find that to be an interesting little coincidence.

Mom also found out that her great-great-great grandfather, who obviously would be my great-great-great- great grandfather, was a soldier in the Civil War. Not only was William R. Clark a soldier, he was also a prisoner of war, captured by the Union Army and held captive in Camp Douglas in Chicago, Illinois, which was the worst place for a Confederate soldier to find himself.

According to what she found here , "On December 16, 1864, while serving with his company, William was captured and taken prisoner by Union Troops.  After being captured William was imprisoned at the Camp Douglas Prison located in Chicago, Illinois.  Camp Douglas was one of the worst Civil War prisons and is credited with having the highest mortality rate. William was lucky to have lived his imprisonment as 6,000 Confederates died at Camp Douglas.  While imprisoned William witnessed some of the most inhumane realities of the Civil War as prisoners were kept in filthy, cramped conditions and had to eat rats to survive since they weren't given rations.  On June 19, 1865, as the war came to an end, William was released from Camp Douglas and he made his way home in Hernando County"



William Robert Clark 1898

 As I heard my mom tell this story, I couldn't help but look around the room and think of all the people that would not be there if this man had died along with the 6,000 other soldiers in Camp Douglas. William Clark was not married and had never fathered a child at the time he served as a soldier. Once he moved back to Florida, and resumed his life, he became the father of several children. Thankfully! Had that not happened, I would not be sitting here typing this blog post. I wouldn't be sitting anywhere. I would not exist!

This whole thing got me thinking about how impactful one life really is. It also makes me consider what could have been different had William Robert Clark given up on life and a future when he was in that horrible prison camp. It makes me wonder what we might lose out on, and what future generations will miss out on, if any of us choose to give up when things are at their darkest and most bleak. I, for one, am so thankful that my great-great-great-great grandfather was willing to endure those awful days, weeks, and even months of being held captive; and that he was willing to eat rats (Guh-ross!) to stay alive.

It's also interesting to me that this man only passed away, and due to an accidental drowning, after he fathered his last child: John Calhoun Clark. John C. was my great-great-great grandfather.

There are no accidental people. God has a plan for each and every life. I hope that you are living yours with intentionality and purpose. I'd hate to miss out on your contribution if you don't make the one meant for you to make.

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P.S. And I hope you continue to Hang Onto Promises Eternal = HOPE!!