The next step . . . Hope and a future

Months ago I wrote about a girl that was released from the halfway house to an independent living program. 

On March 1st she move into her "own" apartment.  For the next 30 days she will be working through the final phase of the independent living program.   This is a huge praise for us.  All of us who have met her and worked with her are so proud of the accomplishment she has made. 

We are all praying for her continued success.   We are all praying that she sees that she has a chance for a future.  That there is Hope.

As you read this you may be wondering why this is so important or worthy of Praise.  Young people leave home everyday and move into their first apartment.  With little of no hoopla.  Most young people finish high school and go on to college and begin careers.  Most young people have lots of advantages. 

But there are those that have little or no advantages.  There are those that have been in home environments that are not encouraging.  That are not loving.  That are not safe. 

This is the real world of many kids today.  This is the real world of what we deal with everyday.  And so for one of our kids to make it through and come out on the other side with learned values and desires to better themselves and pull themselves up not only out of poverty but out of a world of immorality and even abuse is amazing. 

Yet to God it isn't so amazing.  God knew because he has a plan for each of us.  He has a plan that provides for Hope and a future.   God offers love.  God offers healing from the hurt.  And if we come to him.  If we seek him he will be there for us.  He will listen he will heal our hurts. 

Even though our wonderful sweet girl is moving on and forward with her life she still has many questions about God.  How could he care about me?  Why did he let ______happen to me?  But she also asks "Why does Miss Judy care about me?  And that is when we can answer "Because God cares.  Because we want to show you God loves you.