February 12, 2008

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who hath given [them] unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand." - John 10:28-29

How many things/organizations/people do you belong to? It may seem like a strange question but the thought was generated when I joined a sorority tonight. I was welcomed in and given the secret handshake. I laughed with my sorority sisters after the ceremony but on my way home I saw a more serious side to the event. I now belonged to the sorority. I have sisters that love me and will go out of their way for me. I have sisters who will challenge me to be a better me. I have sisters who believe in me.

I started thinking and realized that I have many places that I belong. I belong to my family. My mom is my only immediate family I have left but she loves me unconditionally. I belong to my job. My co-workers care for me. My boss cares for me and challenges me to be a better me. I belong to the camp I go to every summer. I have life long friends there that encourage me throughout the year and love me to bits when I'm at camp. Fortunately for me many if not all of the organizations and people I belong to have and continue to lead me to and challenge me to grow in my personal relationship with God. Talk about a place I'm unconditionally loved and belong! I realized last night I often take all this for granted.

You see, the ladies I work with often belong no where. They either never have belonged anywhere, or have burned all the bridges to anywhere they did belong. They have no built in family or sisters to care and love and challenge and believe in them.

When they come to the Lighthouse they find a new place to belong. We may be just a stop on the way, or they may be part of our family for longer. The love, respect, acceptance, encouragement, accountability and concern they receive here helps them know they do belong. Hopefully before they've been here too long they also learn that they can satisfy their deepest need to belong by committing to a personal relationship with God. The ladies also know they are loved when they realize that we get no government funds but are supported by others who care what happens to them. They see God's love and provision for them at work in a tangible and marvelous way!

At camp there is a song we sing, "There is a friend who will stick closer than a brother. There is a friend who will give you love like no other. When the time comes and you're all along all your riches have flown, your own self-worth is unknown, there is a friend who will pick you up and give you a home."

Thank you for being a friend to the Lighthouse. Who do you need to thank for allowing and wanting you to belong to them?

God Bless!