“Thank you for taking care of us, being a warm jacket when we were cold, and showing us the love of Christ through your actions.”
You may remember listening in Sunday School to the parables Jesus used to explain important concepts to those around Him. Those parables continue to guide us 2,000 years later, because their messages are so clear and relevant. Take Matthew 25: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
When Danette wrote that Sheltering Wings was “a warm jacket when we were cold,” she was expressing a similar message. Yes, Sheltering Wings is a place that provides shelter to women and children who are victims of domestic violence. But for those who share our faith, we’re something more. The services we provide are exactly what Jesus meant when He called upon us to serve those in need. When we embrace those in need and fear, we’re embracing Him.
Danette and her three-year-old son stayed with us for just a couple days, but that brief interval was critical for them. We provided protection from their abuser, but she wrote that we gave her more than safety. “You gave us dignity, friendship, and kindness.” Safe from danger, she was able to look at her life and plan for a better way to live. I’m happy to report that she and her son are doing well.
We never know how an opportunity to serve God will appear before us, or what form it may take, but one thing we do know in our heart is how we’re expected to respond. Sheltering Wings emerged from a church’s food pantry, and so many local churches have sustained us with volunteers, donations, and prayers. Together with your generous support, we’ll continue to serve all those who cry out for help.
In His Service,
Cassie Martin Executive Director
