Serenity Richard, Executive Director
I grew up in a home not unlike the homes many of our children come from. I had no Christian influence in my immediate family, but at seventeen years old, the Lord plucked me out of that situation and saved me. What I remember most from those early years after my conversion is how the women in my church – a small country church made up mostly of senior adults – wrapped their arms around me and loved me. They made me feel welcome and cared for. They shared stories from their lives. Sometimes, these were hilarious stories of things that they did in their younger years, but, at other times, they were stories about seasons of life marked by deep struggle.
Looking back, I realize how much those women shaped me. Their stories became a source of guidance in my own hard times. Many of us have had faithful women whom God used to shape and mold us: a mother, grandmother, foster mother, aunt, sister, friend, mentor, or coworker. As I reflect on the impact of godly women in the lives of the children who call NMBCH home, I think of Karla’s story.
Fifty-three-year-old Karla arrived on our campus on a windy spring day. She had never stepped foot here before, yet as she spoke, it was clear that NMBCH had changed her life.
Karla’s story began with her mother, Jean. Jean was born to abusive parents who died when she was twelve. Up to that point, she had only known neglect and abuse. Her view of God was warped. She believed that He was always just waiting for her to mess up, so that He could punish her.
Then she came to live at NMBCH. Over a period of years, she experienced the love of devoted houseparents and staff who cared for her and lived out the gospel. Through their love, she came to know the love of Jesus Christ and the deep, abiding love of her heavenly Father.
When Jean became a mother, she often spoke about the influence her former housemom had on her life. She strived to be the same example of a mother to her own children. In God’s great mercy, each of her children, including Karla, came to know Jesus.
Karla then looked at me with tears in her eyes and revealed that it wasn’t only her mother’s future that was rewritten, but hers and her children’s. See, all of Karla’s three children (Jean’s grandchildren) are now serving the Lord!
As Mother’s Day approaches, I pray that you will reflect on the faithful women God has placed in your life and give thanks for each one. Their love, their sacrifices, and their faithfulness have the power to change generations.
Write a comment