I Will Choose to be Grateful

I think one of my favorite parts of the day at the PARC is our Bible Study. I simply invite those that want to come to come. It is usually a very small group. But, oh my the things I have learned. I have gained so much insight from those small group discussions about the Bible. I would not trade them for anythig. We are now studying the story of Nehemiah, and this past week we read the prayer he prayed in chapter 9. When I asked them for how they would take the scripture and apply it to their life, the overwhelming theme was gratefulness. "We need to be grateful for what we have. We don't want to be greedy. We need to be grateful."

As I sit there and listen to their hearts, I think of the environment from which they came, the empty stomachs, and the dreams of their hearts. They want a home and they sleep in a chaotic shelter. They want to be reunited with their families, but they have to work hard to find their place in an environment with people that are often hard to be around. Many of them are lugging their belongings back and forth from the PARC every day because the shelter is so full, and yet I hear them say, "I am going to be grateful that I have a bed, and I have a roof over my head, I have the PARC and these friends".

I am humbled. Having so many at the PARC is a lot of work! There are many needs and we are constantly doing our best to meet those needs; whether it is helping them find supplies, getting someone a fork, giving an encouraging word, taking time to listen, or figuring out where we can put one more person. We have the challenge of how to set up a place for classes in a room that is already packed. It is tiring and exhausting. It is wonderful!

We are thankful. We are so very thankful that God has given a place of safety and refuge for those to come. We are thankful that He has given them an environment where they are accepted and known. We are thankful that here they can find hope again. So, I take my lesson from the members today, and I say thank you. Thank you, Lord for a place that expresses Your heart. Thank you that they are coming and that You know the plans for each one. I will CHOOSE to be grateful and not overwhelmed. I will CHOOSE to trust that God knows the way, the answers and He is taking us there.

I would like to let YOU know that we need help. Since our numbers have grown, we need volunteers. It is a wonderful opportunity to see the Lord's hand move in miraculous ways in your life as you find relationship in the most unlikely ways. Give us a call or come by - anytime. I promise you will love it!