Life can throw us a curveball that we aren’t prepared for at any time. I don’t know many people who, when walking through a season of challenge, didn’t need or benefit from the love, support, and assistance of others. As servants of Jesus, let us pray to have eyes to see and ears to hear, so we can be prepared to minister to His hurting people. We might be ministering to a family member, friend, or someone we just met. Personally, I have been a fierce advocate for churches, non-profits, businesses, service agencies, and individuals working together in a united effort to address the varied needs of our communities. I believe the key to success in this is remembering that our purpose is to glorify God, not ourselves, and to remain humble before Him.
When we are faced with struggles, whatever they may be, one of the greatest comforts is knowing we are not alone. There are some people who will welcome family and friends to come alongside them during periods of vulnerability. Others have a much more difficult time doing the same. In both circumstances, we must demonstrate the love Christ calls us to display to others. It will look different depending on the person and circumstance but our assistance and presence is indeed a ministry that Jesus uses to make a difference in the lives of those hurting.
Many of the individuals and families I work with have such complex and varied needs that no single agency, church, or organization can create lasting change on their own. It’s imperative for those offering support to work together in unity. It was through the blessing of teamwork that I was humbled to be part of the following story.
The Family Resource Coordinator from a local school district contacted the Compassion Care Center because one of their students had been deeply upset for days. He shared that his family was facing eviction. Alicia from the Compassion Care Center reached out to the Amore Senior Support Network to provide an assessment and second opinion to help determine whether the eviction could be prevented and if the family would be able to sustain themselves moving forward. After many conversations with the tenant, the property management company, and the court, we determined that together we would do all we could to try to help. We joined forces with Lifepoint Church, Rock Point Church, a few of the tenant’s family members, and several others to pool our resources. Together, we prevented a scheduled eviction.
Over the past year and a half, many of us have continued working together to embrace this family and address various needs that have come up, including assistance with utilities, food, clothing, furniture, medications, and transportation. Lifepoint Church has become a life-giving church home for this family. While they may not be fully thriving yet, they are doing well. They are living a safer and better life than they have known in many years. What a blessing it is for all of us to be part of their story.
This is a personal reflection I have made after years of networking with the hope of uniting our efforts: I believe that when we are truly humble, we do our best work. We become wise enough to realize that we can’t possibly know or do it all, regardless of degree or experience. We begin to see how much we need one another and how blessed we are by each person we serve alongside. In that humility, there is room for honesty and sweet vulnerability, which in turn encourages the same in those we network with. I believe wholeheartedly that God blesses the efforts of His humble people. When we walk in humility, we have the opportunity to continue learning and growing in wisdom. I deeply appreciate the quote below.
“Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.” – Patrick Lencioni
With Love,
Pam Kavathas
Amore Senior Support Network