Greatest Hits Series features Most Read Post in this blog's history

It's been so great revisiting some of the posts that have had the biggest impact on those of you who read this blog. I chose to post the ones with the "greatest" number of views or "hits," and I've said the one with the most (by far!) for last. 


So, here with go with the Final in this week's series, "Greatest Hits!"


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I'm SO honored and thrilled to introduce this amazing woman to you....that is if you don't already know her. She is one of the most engaging, authentic, joy-filled and gracious women I know. And we've never even been in the same place at the same time. One of the great things about technology is that it connects us to people we wouldn't otherwise get to know. 


Most of you, if you've followed anything I've done in the past 5 years or so, have heard me mention regularly (possibly even obnoxiously?) John Lynch with Truefaced and Open Door Fellowship in Phoenix, AZ. John and his fabulous wife, Stacey, have done an incredible job leading many, many people into a greater understanding of grace, authentic community, and living out of who God says we are. Imagine getting to be their kid. Right? Wow. Well, since we don't all get that honor, I wanted to introduce you to someone who does have that honor:


Meet Amy Lynch Reid!

Hope Changes Everything

"Hope" is a feeling of expectation or a desire for something to happen. I think about how disappointing it can be to be hopeful for things- to hope for a raise; for a friend to pursue you back; for your car to start running better, etc. We hope, and desire, and expect these things, and so many more, to happen. And when they don't, we feel discouraged and hurt and let-down. Hoping can be scary and risky. But when we put our hope in the Lord, He doesn't disappoint. It is so beautiful to experience this first hand, to trust that there is someone to put your hope in who will not let you down.

I am a super happy, joyful, positive, energetic almost-24-year-old girl. I love life- I love traditions and holidays and surprises and all the little moments that make life special. I don't have many down days. But just in this last year, my life got really shaken up. A series of really hard situations put me in a bad place. Circumstantially, my life seemed like it was upside down. And as someone who has had very few sad days in her life, I was contemplating antidepressants. I couldn't make sense of my life. I couldn't get a grip of my emotions. I couldn't find my way out of my disappointment and hurt.

I started reading through the Bible in a year in January. And a few months ago, I got to Job. I've always known the story of Job, but it's never been something I could relate to. He experienced so much suffering; so much was taken away from him; he couldn't figure out why or find answers to his situation. But after all of his loss and suffering, he says "you have redeemed my soul and I will live to enjoy the light." I kept reading and re-reading this verse. Regardless of his unfortunate circumstances, he was choosing to live for the light of Christ. I was reminded that in my darkest days, when nothing seems to make sense, He is absolutely enough! When I choose to put my hope in Him, it changes EVERYTHING. He has always been and will always be enough. If every other piece of my life falls apart; if I lose everything...I can still find joy by putting my hope in Him. He promises to protect those who love Him. And He does. He has taken such good care of me, especially on those dark days when I cry out to Him. I will continue to put my hope in Him because it really does CHANGE EVERYTHING!


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More about Amy, in her own words...


My name is Amy Reid. I'm 23 years old. I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona; nurtured and protected by one of the sweetest communities on earth. I moved to California for college when I was 17. I met a California boy, fell in love, and got married in 2009. I'm now a California girl, living in Alta Loma, with my handsome husband, Danny, and our adorable dog, Dupree. The things that make my world spin 'round are: my faithful Jesus, my flat-out awesome family, my precious husband, and my addiction to Starbucks, chocolate, and all things fun!