As St. Francis of Assisi said to Brother Barnabas when they met on the road to upper Umbria - Hi! Since this is our first post in this section, I wanted to just add some personal thoughts here to begin with.
The other day, as I left a someone at the end of our time together, my heart was strangely warmed. I realized in that moment that perhaps the greatest joy I receive from serving, is being able to witness the victories of those we endeavor to help, to see them successfully overcome some of the challenges and barriers that have them waylaid in their walk with Christ. More than this, it is to witness their personal growth and transformation, be it emotional, spiritual, an increase of self-awareness or self-esteem. All victories are significant because their lives are moving in a positive direction.
Certainly, there may be set-backs at times and moments of discouragement, but still this fortitude of moving forward, seeking to learn from and leave the past behind, learning to trust in our Lord and looking to Him for the help they need is an all important step. Understanding that our Father desires us to live in the present, while preparing for a future as the Lord leads and directs are big steps. So, one can imagine the joy it brings to see what can only be described as a new life blossoming. A life that at one time could not even be dreamed or imagined is now ripe with plans and purposes, and the freedom to dream even bigger, as one imagines what life could be like five years down the road. A life full of what our Lord has waiting for them. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
The reader was probably expecting to hear tragic stories of all the terrible things we come across daily. Not going to happen. When one focuses on all the terrible things going on around us, one misses all the great and miraculous events God is brining about. It’s also extremely depressing to say the least. These things must be recognized but they must not be allowed to be controlling factors in our lives.
Every day we help folks who come from every part of life who are looking for answers. Some have sought those answers from, let’s say, extremely bad sources which have only resulted in having detrimental impacts on their lives. Having the correct answers for the correct source, God through His Word, can bring about changes they only dreamed of. It’s not an overnight change in most cases either. Most folks didn’t get where they currently are overnight and it often takes time for our Lord to straighten our that very crooked road many have followed for years.
That’s where we are able to help. Not by making the actual changes but by pointing folks in the direction of the only one who can make those changes. You won’t find this in the bible but the principle is there, “Anything God touches never remains the same”. Often we are able to assist with physical help which is needed but once again, the help is still provided by our Lord in one way or another. Situations, problems and the entire life of a family can is being changed by our Lord’s intervention in their lives. We feel honored to be allowed by our Lord to just be a simple finger pointing the way.