This time of year is always interesting and fun, although I never know just what to expect. Some years have been very busy with activities, donations, food, and gifts several days a week while other years we have had very little going on. Some years the shelter is full to overflowing with children and families, while other years are very quiet with just a couple of single residents besides the staff. I’m not sure how busy Christmas is going to be this year. We have a few residents checking out before the holidays, some moving into apartments/houses of their own, some just reaching the end of their 90 days without much fruit for their efforts. In the end we have to trust that God’s timing is always perfect and that our reaction to that timing is opportunity for us to grow, lean on HIS understanding, and learn to accept change. Change is a part of growth and that is sometimes painful because we have an idea of what we think is going to happen but it doesn’t always turn out the way we expect. It helps remind us that only God knows and His plan is perfect.
We are facing the very real possibility of major change here at the shelter. We have seen our savings account drop dangerously low over the last few months until now we are within about 2 months of being completely out of funds to continue this ministry. We have talked about what programs we need to cut back first, Transitional Housing, Case Management, staff positions, and in the end we are trusting that we are in God’s hands. This new year may bring about some big changes. My prayer has been, and continues to be, that I have the courage to follow God’s plan for me without knowing what that plan looks like, however and wherever that ministry takes me. If it is in this Emergency Homeless Shelter ministry, then praise God I trust him to provide the means to continue in it. If it is in another area of ministry, then praise God I trust that he will open that door and lead me in that direction.
Isaiah 40:28-31 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (NIV)
I hope your Christmas is wonderful! We are blessed to be able to spend it with friends and family. We have so much to be thankful for, first and foremost the blessing of a living God through whom we can find hope and peace.
In His Service, Micah Dewing -Shelter Director
Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians:
Ephesians 3:14-20 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen. (NIV)