As a young man, Rev. Hasley wondered how his grandmother could always say, "Everything is gonna be all right," when pain, harm and suffering persist? Yet hers was not a Pollyanna faith, but a faith that sustained and comforted in times full of fear, anxiety, and stress. In this book, Rev. Hasley tells homespun stories and anecdotes of a life lived in faith through good times and bad. A compilation of his life experiences and devotional messages, Everything Is Gonna Be All Right is not tied to specific days of the week or year and may be read in any order for inspiration and support.
"Today we are navigating our way through unprecedented times caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and we must look after our mental and spiritual well-being as well as our physical health," said Rev. Robert Hasley. "It is my goal that this book, a collection of my experiences of seeing God in everyday events of life, will help the reader to see how God is active in their own lives, providing hope and encouragement. My Grandmother Maude Stephens is my inspiration for putting this book together. Whether I skinned my knee, got a bad test grade, or dropped a pass during a big game, she was there telling me that everything would be all right - words which have been with me for a lifetime, words that provide a welcoming sense of comfort, and words that we all need to hear right now."
Maude Stephens lived from the end of the 19th century into the very beginning of the 21st century. She died in 2000 at age 101 in a hospital in Gurdon, Arkansas. Despite a life with much sorrow and many challenges, including seeing her husband off to World War I and her son off to World War II as well as surviving the Spanish Flu and the Great Depression, her deep faith led to an abiding conviction that everything would, indeed, be all right.
"Since the beginning of the pandemic, we have seen fear, anxiety, and stress among members of the community, our congregation, and within our own families," added Rev. Hasley. "Every aspect in our lives has been affected, and every day feels uncertain. We are all at risk and many are sick and dying. Life as we once knew it has been turned upside down, movement and gatherings are restricted, unemployment is soaring, and now there are many new anxieties about the beginning of the school year. We must remember that our faith sustains and comforts us, providing us a sense of control during these uncertain times. Like Grandmother Stephens, we must keep that faith knowing that this storm will pass, and everything is gonna be all right."