Networking

"Charlie's" mom is ill. She lives three states away, and Charlie has to rely on snail mail for communication. Recently she came to me in tears because she had received a disturbing letter from her mom and there was absolutely nothing she could do. She was powerless. I asked what support her mom has, and Charlie knows of no one. "Mom has been waiting for me to come home. I asked her again to hold on and wait for me, but she says she's tired and she doesn't know if she can." Charlie broke down, sobbing.

I asked if her mom has any connections with a church, and, when the answer was "no," I asked if I could check out the area and see if perhaps a church might step in and offer some kind of support. Charlie was grateful.

I located a church with a Stephen's Ministry not too many miles from her mom. Later she brought her mother's name, address, and phone number to me, and I emailed the coordinator. Today I received an amazing email:

I am so sorry to be responding so late to your request. I have been on vacation since June 28th and decided to not even look at my computer during my vacation. I regret that I did not read your email until tonight.

I happen to be a Mental Health Specialist in a maximum security prison in Florida. I am also a crisis negotiator. Because of both positions, I have friends that work in **. I will try to contact a police office friend and see if he can do a wellness check for you.

Pleas keep in touch and I will also stay in touch with you and let you know as soon as I find anything out.

Isn't God good? I am amazed at His goodness all the time. Can you imagine that I am a Stephen Minister, also work in a prison and know someone in **?

Again, I apologize for the delay because of my vacation, but I will see what I can do.

Indeed, God is good!

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

Jesus said it. We quote it. But can we do it.

M is doing it. She is an inmate at Swannanoa Correctional Center for Women. Her family lives thousands of mile away. She gets lonely, as we might all imagine; yet, her faith sustains her. She has only been a Christian for about 18 months now. Last week when she told her husband she was being baptized, he gave her an ultimatum: Do that and I will divorce you.

She had hoped he would bring their daughter to our next Mother/Child Retreat, but now he refuses. He does not want his daughter exposed to "crazy Christians."

I told M that I understand that mindset. If the "crazy Christians" were the only ones I had ever been exposed to, I would have the same reaction. She understands. She says before she met authentic Christians who share the love of Christ rather than the wrath of God, she felt the same way. She really thought all Christians were like the ones who get all the press.

M is beginning to understand that her actions will have to speak. As far as she can tell today, her marriage is over, but her relationship with God has only just begun, and she is being faithful.

"Will you come and follow me if I but call your name..."