What difference does it make?

Let’s just call her “Lucy”- Our initial visit with her… "Hi Lucy we are collecting school supplies to donate to single moms in the area and were hoping we could" – she interrupts, "Oh I am sorry I wish I could but I just don’t have anything to give!" She thought we were asking for her to donate. After I cleared that up- she said "oh, no, no I don’t have any children, but thank you." "Well is there anything else we could help you with." "No I am good she continued to just be tough and stand offish." 5 minutes later Liz, myself, and “Lucy” were beginning what would be a 30 min conversation about her life, where she has been, what all she has done, and what led her to work here. We find out that she has not had a descent meal in several months. She is feigning for protein- meat, beans, peanut butter. She says all she has eaten is Noodles and crackers.

With the help of several ladies in our church we were able to take her a good meal, some groceries, and a gift card to buy fresh meat. She was so thankful.

She was only in the club the first two times we were there. Both times she talked about how much she hated working there. She has two degrees from college, has had several jobs, and been through so much in her life. She is a beautiful young lady and extremely well spoken and smart. One bad decision after another had led her down the road to working here.

I asked her what was keeping her here if she hated it so much. She was trying to save $1000 to get up to Pennsylvania where her family lives. I didn’t let it go- how did you decide on that number, and how long do you think it will take you to save it? Only walking away with maybe $50 on a good night it will take several weeks. I have to fix my car- she was a mechanic at one point in her life, but needed to buy the parts. I need gas money, I have bills, and this and that. I told her a plane ticket would probably be around $300. Can you pack up what you need in a couple of bags? Well I have a kitten, and a car, kind of… followed by more excuses. By the way she was talking, I thought she would never leave. Just down in the dumps about life.

This was the last time we saw Lucy. The other girls said they hadn’t seen her in days, when we asked about her. The following week I had a voice mail from her! “Thank you so much for your help. I took your advice, packed everything I own up in two bags and hopped a plane to Pennsylvania! Thank you Thank you! I really appreciate what you did for me.” She didn’t have to call and tell me any of this. But how encouraging it was to hear from her

So what difference does it make, just talking to the girls, and providing a lunch for them? People have said we are enabling them, or encouraging what they are doing by going there and loving them. But loving her like Christ made a difference in “Lucy’s” life.

All GLORY and HONOR and PRAISE to Jesus! We alone are nothing, but we can do all things through Him who gives us strength! Phillipians 4:13