KARA'S MOM...

We honestly can't remember her name - we just know that she was from out of state and she was Kara's mom. Our paths will probably never cross again; but her words will forever cross our hearts and minds. 

Yesterday was our last "family session" in this phase of treatment.  We go for a 'lecture' and then a group counseling session with other patients and their family members. The lecture is intended to be educational, and then the group counseling session is for more dialogue and practical support. These sessions are very educational and highly beneficial. We're all there for the same reason and can identify and relate to everyone's story.  Sometimes our lives and our stories are vastly different, making it seem like we come from such different worlds. Other times our stories are so strickingly similar it makes us feel uneasy - almost like they're telling our story. 

Yesterday while we were discussing with the group the role of the family members and how we as a family unit move forward, the group found out we were in the ministry.  The group session continued on with not much else being said to that fact. It was as we were packing up at the end of the day that we met Kara's mom.  

Kara's mom came up to us in tears - she said she just had to come speak to us to encourage us on in our journey.  She said her husband was also a public figure in the community and very active and involved in their Church; and at the age of 35 he became addicted to pain medicine.  Her husband looked desperately within the Church for love and support and found himself all alone.  Her brother is an alcoholic and sits alone and silent in the pews every Sunday for fear of rejection and shame. Her daughter has followed the same path of addiction and has turned away from Church, feeling more support and encouragement in the world.  "We need you, the Church needs you.  There is such a need for this to get out. Jesus didn't die on the cross because we were perfect - He died because we were sick. Your ministry is needed!" 

Speechless, all I could do was hug her. My heart ached for her and for her pain; and yet my heart was so thankful for the encouragement.  She was thrilled to hear of how supportive our Church has been - and said it gave her hope. Hope. 

Hope was mutual that day. She filled us with hope as well.  This post is unique in that Megan and I wrote this one together.  We are renewed and filled with hope...and chugging along.  God uses His people to speak His words...His people like Kara's mom. 

"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5)