Speak Lord your servant is listening

My story— I knew God at a young age—not by indoctrination, but by the grace that was showered on me. Through years of sexual abuse, God gave me comfort and guidance to survive the evils that surrounded me. Being the youngest of 3 to a single mom, I was often left alone with an angry, violent older brother, or a very sick older cousin who was entrusted to care for me. After years of abuse, I was one day abruptly taken from my family to live in foster care for a few weeks. Foster homes are not always the refuge from an abusive home they may appear to be to the world. For 2+ weeks I slept and lived in a room that was no bigger than a closet with one window that didn’t shut all the way and a sheet for a blanket in the coldest time of a January winter. I was told to stay out of the way…but on their wall was a cross and I knew that God had me, regardless of how society was handling a scared, lonely 9-year old girl. Instead of growing up cold and angry—a normal result of a childhood like mine, God loved me in so many ways that I could not help but grow in his likeness.

When, as a teen, I did turn away, He sent people my way to give me special messages to tell me that I was not forgotten, even if I had turned my back on God. And when I turned back to find Him, I did not have to grovel and lay myself down for an emotional beating for my wayward ways. Instead, I was received with open arms for which I’m forever grateful. …and now as a mother, a teacher, and a friend I hope to give that grace and love to others as it was given to me. Please pray for energy and strength to do so.

What next? Need to take next step. Where are needs? What are wish lists? More than bills. Small groups could pool money to support direct needs of different ministries. Take it further. Show needs. Christmas wish lists. Spread wealth.

God’s word reinforced my vision in life to be a catalyst of and for change. This is kudos for Mariners for scratching the surface of a real and honest conversation among God’s people and embracing ethnicity. (Thanks Mariners!). God reaffirms my belief that it is not what we have that matters but it’s what we do with what we have that matters because great ambition without contribution is a life without significance. At the end of the day, I want to live for the Lord and my neighbors. Peace and love! (Monica)

Increased my awareness of the needs of the needy, the poor and weak. Incites me to lead and to participate proactively in community service. Great speaker!

Little bit in-your-face, but impactful and insightful and challenging. Change starts with me. Taking the log out at the individual level first then we can reach out.

I was reminded what “missions” really is. It doesn’t have to be a 2 week trip overseas but rather helping those in our community on a daily basis.

Desiring a deeper understanding of how we connect with our own backyard—as a church—and what can I do?

I really didn’t know what nation building was. I need more non-believers in my life. My son loves and lives hip hop. I need to understand.

I’m going to be more open to the pop culture. Next time someone pulls up next to me with loud hip hop music that rattles my windows, I’ll think twice before rolling up my windows because maybe they have something other than just music to share with me!

As a teacher in a system that fails its clients everyday—our children—I want to teach to reach down into the hearts of my students to move them towards a happy, joyous, free life, not riddled with the gang and violent life I see them traveling.