Seasons of suffering can take so much from us—our health, a loved one, our sense of security. There’s a more expansive loss that runs through all those other kinds of loss: we lose our ability to imagine a good future. We only remember pain and hurt, which means we anticipate a future filled with more pain and hurt. 

I don’t think it has to be this way. Even when the worst things happen, it’s possible to dream new dreams. And it’s possible to imagine a good future for ourselves and for the people we love.

Today we’re talking to a woman on the leading edge of imagining—and creating—good futures. Amy Julia Becker is an author, speaker, and one of my very favorite thought leaders in the faith and disability space. Hours after giving birth to her first daughter, Princeton grad Amy Julia received the unexpected news that her little girl had an intellectual disability. Amy Julia’s lived experience paired with her brilliant mind and love of Jesus make her an invaluable guide as you and I take the next step toward a future filled with hope.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this conversation:

• A refreshing redefinition of “the good life”
• One thing you can do when life takes a totally unexpected turn
• Proof that the life you didn’t expect can still be a life you love
• Tons of practical resources and recommendations for taking your next step

If you need inspiration to begin imagining a good future, this episode is for you.

Show Notes:

The GoodHard Story Ep. 94 with Dr. John Swinton - https://pod.link/1496882479/episode/565eb21c7e2a0b580d942c64560f312f

A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny by Amy Julia Becker - https://a.co/d/hHW7Xfs

Hope Heals Camp - https://hopeheals.com/camp/

The Life We're Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World by Andy Crouch - https://a.co/d/hpkQxOO

The GoodHard Story Ep. 98 with Philip Yancey - https://pod.link/1496882479/episode/7ff1ca2eb98b273f3d5479dc5504d9f3

Where the Light Fell: A Memoir by Philip Yancey - https://pod.link/1496882479/episode/7ff1ca2eb98b273f3d5479dc5504d9f3

Re-Imagining Family Life with Disabilities Workshop - https://amyjuliabecker.com/workshop/

The Gardener and the Carpenter: What the New Science of Child Development Tells Us About the Relationship Between Parents and Children by Alison Gopnick - https://a.co/d/70JXPiS

Amy Julia’s Substack - https://amyjuliabecker.substack.com/

Amy Julia’s podcast - https://amyjuliabecker.com/podcast/

Amy Julia on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amyjuliabecker/

Scriptures referenced in this episode:

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There's so much more to the story. For more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me, visit https://hopeheals.com/katherine.

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