My life changed a few years ago when I came to really know Jesus. I grew up knowing about Him but I didn’t really know Him until He found me and changed my heart. The most recent change is how the Lord led me to Maggie’s Place.
As a single mom myself, I have always wanted to help other women in similar circumstances. My heart is drawn to these precious women and their babies even more so now because I can see Christ within them. His heart is to pour out so much love to them…He only asks me to be willing to be a vessel He can use to show them love. He wants them to know the depths of His love (Ephesians 3:18).
One day, I had a great experience sharing this love with one of the moms. She was struggling with a difficult relationship. Her boyfriend is also homeless and battling addiction. She sensed that he was on the verge of giving in to his addiction and was worried about him.
I offered to pray with her. As we sat together, I started speaking to her about how much God loves her and loves seeing the positive changes she is making in her life; how she has the courage to make hard decisions and the strength to stay sober; that God calls her beautiful and says when she is weak, He will be strong.
Then we prayed for her boyfriend. I asked the Lord to send people into his life who would lead him in the right direction. We asked that he be kept safe and to be guided by his guardian angel. We both cried after placing the situation into God’s hand and believing He would hear us. Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,” reassured my confidence.
It felt good to pray with her and remind her that when we let go of our burdens and lay them at the foot of His cross, He can begin to work.
A few hours later, I returned home to find her smiling and waiting to tell me how she had talked to her boyfriend! He was feeling much better and she heard hope in his voice. His brother-in-law called him to offer a job and he would be starting work the next day!
God had already been moving on this situation because of His great love for us. He knew the desires of her heart. We gave thanks to God for answering our prayers and she said,” That’s right! We just prayed about that and He answered already!”
God uses us daily when we open our eyes to see, open our ears to hear and open our hearts to be receptive to His call. One thing has become clearer to me now at this point in my life: The Lord will use a surrendered servant…a willing vessel but He will never force Himself upon us.
Please keep our moms and babies in your prayers as you are in ours!
By Jackie Jennings, a MissionCorps member
