Even when suffering with my allergies, I love spring! I love the flowers and the beautiful budding trees–they just speak of freshness, new beginnings and growth. BUT—even more than their beauty, I am absolutely, thoroughly uplifted by Daylight Saving Time!!!! I get so excited by the fact that at 8:OO P.M. it is still light outside. I LOVE IT!! It makes me feel renewed–more filled with energy. Just about the time we do the clock change, the constant darkness is beginning to “wear” on me. I am looking for the light!
I think our ladies are a bit like that when they come to Shepherd’s Gate. They are getting tired of the darkness. It is depressing, energy draining and, well, just plain sad. When they walk through our front doors, they are looking for newness, freshness, a Light to light up their inward darkness.
Every woman who comes to stay at Shepherd’s Gate is asked about her relationship with Christ as we talk with her during her Intake process. Her ability to receive shelter and care has nothing to do with her answer; however, it gives us a good place to start as we begin to walk along side of her in this phase of her journey. We have the most wonderful opportunities to share Christ—who He is, what He thinks about us, what He wants to do for us. . . . We want each woman to get to know the Light of the World! John 8:12 says, “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'” Now there is hope!!!
The hope that comes with being in the light is, although momentary, awesome and energizing. The hope that comes from knowing the Light of the World is wonderfully, amazingly eternal!
