Love

If you have been at the PARC for very long you know Allison. If you know Allison you love her. She is one of the most encouraging, considerate and kind prayer warriors I have ever known. I love her and care about her very much.

Allison is addicted to meth and has supported her habit through prostitution and other means. She has done this for many, many years. I remember when she first started coming to the PARC that several days would go by when we didn't see her. Sometimes when I was driving I would see her sitting on a curb or a porch stoop. I would stop my car and go to her and ask her why she hadn't been coming. She would look at me with those sad eyes and say, "I've been bad Ms. Valerie. I've been bad." I would put my arm around her and say, "Allison, it's okay. I don't love you for what you do. I love you for who you are." There were many times that I would see Allison walk by the PARC. I would run out and call to her and ask her to come in. Again, I would hear those same words, "I've been bad Ms. Valerie. I've been bad." Again I would say to her, "Allison, I don't love you for what you do. I love you for who you are."

As time went on Allison began to believe that. I remember so many times that she would tell me that she was about to "go get some stuff". I would say, "Allison, I wish you wouldn't." Her response was, "I know you don't like it. But, I'm going and I don't want to lie to you." I would send her off with a big hug and tell her to please be safe.

The other day Allison and I were visiting and she thanked me for loving her. She said, "Ms. Valerie you get me. You understand me and I appreciate that so much." What? Really? I understand her? I get her? Allison is addicted to meth and she doesn't want to stop. I have not been addicted. She has lived on the streets and in shelters most of her life. I never have. As I thought about this I realized what Allison was saying is that I accept her. I love her and I accept her. I love her unconditionally and I don't judge her. Do I wish she would quit using meth and putting herself in danger? Of course, I do. But, I have had to realize that I can't change her. l am not enough. It is not my job or within my power to change her. That is something only God can do. But, I can love her unconditionally and she has finally realized that I do. 

I believe that is one of the things that I love the most about the PARC. We don't have steps they have to follow or deadlines they have to meet. We are not the answer. It isn't our job to be the answer. It is our job to love and remember that 'love covers a multitude of sins'. I think that is why the PARC is so powerful. When we realize that we aren't the answer it leaves everything up to God, and He IS the answer. Miracles happen at the PARC every day, and I am so very grateful that the PARC provides a platform for God to move and do the things that only He can.