If
you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have
kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said
these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy
may be complete.
John
15:10-11
ABIDING LOVE AND JOY
Arreana
came to our church about five years ago. She was one of the youth
aging out of foster care. They wanted to work in the kitchen with
Pam Smith and others during the PW rummage sale. People gravitated
towards her with her winning smile, positive attitude and can do
spirit.
Several
members celebrated her high school graduation party with gifts and
many well wishes. Then she got ready to drive from Detroit to start
her university career as a John Seita Scholar at Western Michigan
University. Just as she finished loading up her car, she was robbed
of everything.
One
of our families generously contributed a lap top computer for her
after hearing that hers had been taken. Funds from our
Foster/Adoptive Families Partnerships (from a First Foundation grant)
covered her costly student parking dues for the entire year. She
later came back and spoke at one of our Moments for Mission to thank
the congregation for their care and support.
Recently
she graduated with honors from Western Michigan University. She now
serves as a social worker. By God’s grace she is using her own
gifts and experiences to benefit others in similar difficult
conditions.
Members
and friends of this congregation and other congregations are
providing a huge safety net of well-being for our 13,000 children and
youth in foster care like Arreana. Because of sharing God’s love in
action, we are now seeing transformed lives that are reaching out to
help others.
When
I get to experience these positive, life-giving happenings, I cannot
help but sense: “Christ IS alive!” Thanks be to God.
God
of grace and hope, thank you for the ways you are connecting us in so
many networks of caring through Everybody’s Church here. Use us
each day to help cultivate Christ’s mission, inclusion, and
community. Amen.
Kate
Thoresen
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