broken... completely broken (nearly)...
God's gifts are rarely what we expect. Sunday at church we received one of God's unexpected gifts. A young girl, who must go unnamed, an escapee from domestic violence, a life-long survivor of the foster care system. One of our new Christians found her at a gas station, with no money, no ID, nothing except the dirty clothes on her emaciated body. Kim demonstrated compassion, and took her in to her house, and then brought her to our church.
Charity and I spent all day Monday with her; we retrieved some of her paperwork from the battered woman's shelter, we visited with the noble legal intern helping her pursue criminal charges against the man that has terrorized her for way too long, we took her to the hospital for follow-up on injuries received.
Again, we felt so powerless. I tried to remain detached while hearing her story, but secretly wanted a place to cry for her. While driving, I shared with her some of the Psalms that have been a great comfort to me (esp. psalm 27), but wondered whether it was even appropriate... I mean, can I really tell someone who has lived what she has lived that "the lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I fear?"...
Yet in the immense pain of her circumstances, she was so excited about the clothing given her by another girl at church, by the prospects of returning to school. Here is a girl excited to gain weight. Here is someone who has not lost hope. Maybe this is God's greatest miracle, beyond her physical survival and escape. He has spared her hope.
Yet where do we go from here?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Also, we are returning to Landmark in Montgomery, AL on October 22-24 to meet with the Elders. Pray that God compels the leadership of this church to join with us in this mission, that is so much greater than us!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Finally, I have just started work as a Chaplain for a hospice service. It is quite weird being referred to as "Clergy". (It makes Father Mulcahy of MASH come to mind.) The company knows our long-term goals, and didn't mind our transient world. This should be a great learning opportunity, and an opportunity to show God's love to the dying and grieving.
God's gifts are rarely what we expect. Sunday at church we received one of God's unexpected gifts. A young girl, who must go unnamed, an escapee from domestic violence, a life-long survivor of the foster care system. One of our new Christians found her at a gas station, with no money, no ID, nothing except the dirty clothes on her emaciated body. Kim demonstrated compassion, and took her in to her house, and then brought her to our church.
Charity and I spent all day Monday with her; we retrieved some of her paperwork from the battered woman's shelter, we visited with the noble legal intern helping her pursue criminal charges against the man that has terrorized her for way too long, we took her to the hospital for follow-up on injuries received.
Again, we felt so powerless. I tried to remain detached while hearing her story, but secretly wanted a place to cry for her. While driving, I shared with her some of the Psalms that have been a great comfort to me (esp. psalm 27), but wondered whether it was even appropriate... I mean, can I really tell someone who has lived what she has lived that "the lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I fear?"...
Yet in the immense pain of her circumstances, she was so excited about the clothing given her by another girl at church, by the prospects of returning to school. Here is a girl excited to gain weight. Here is someone who has not lost hope. Maybe this is God's greatest miracle, beyond her physical survival and escape. He has spared her hope.
Yet where do we go from here?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Also, we are returning to Landmark in Montgomery, AL on October 22-24 to meet with the Elders. Pray that God compels the leadership of this church to join with us in this mission, that is so much greater than us!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Finally, I have just started work as a Chaplain for a hospice service. It is quite weird being referred to as "Clergy". (It makes Father Mulcahy of MASH come to mind.) The company knows our long-term goals, and didn't mind our transient world. This should be a great learning opportunity, and an opportunity to show God's love to the dying and grieving.
posted by Kevin at 8:50 PM
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