March comes winds, April showers, May flowers

The children and families who turn to us for care can describe their lives in somewhat the same manner. Life has brought them turbulence. They have been tossed by crisis, neglect and abuse. They have been battered with hopelessness, fear, mistrust, hurtful words, and actions.

Those in need who come to us are able to find refuge here. Here they find the wind fades, and mercy drops of encouragement, faith, hope and love fall along their path to hope and healing. They are showered with God's grace.

And as the Son is revealed to them, they blossom.

Easter Sunday morning, we gathered at Mills Home Baptist Church for Sunrise Service. It was a beautiful morning as the sunlight shinned through the trees. Spring is all around us. Trees are budding and flowers are sprouting everywhere. The burst of color brings joy to my heart and a smile spreads across my face as I take in the beauty all around me. We sing with joy as we proclaim and celebrate Resurrection Day. The Gospel is proclaimed.

And as the Son is revealed to them, they blossom.

His family was in crisis. Communication in the family was abusive or non-existent. He began to stay in his room, his grades dropped, and depression set in. His anger was gripping him in a way that frightened him and his family. They knew they had to find help. Every member of the family was being affected by the dysfunction within the family. His family seemed to be disintegrating before his eyes. He felt responsible, lost and alone.

At the end of their rope, the family sought help and found it at Baptist Children's Homes. Here they were drenched with God's love through dedicated, Christian staff. They were given the structure and tools they needed to work on their problems. The staff used every opportunity to share their faith. He felt nurtured, encouraged and safe. He accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior. The family has a new foundation to build on.

And as the Son is revealed to them, they blossom.

Her father had been in and out of jail most of her life. For years she moved from place to place with nowhere to call home. Her Mom was high on drugs most of the time and unable to hold a job. Her mom eventually abandoned she and her brother. The siblings stayed with relatives, but soon had nowhere to go.

At BCH they found home. Here, loving cottage parents nurtured them as you would a flower, feeding them with truth, hope, grace and understanding. And when the wind of the past threatened to cause despair, and when they would wake in the night from nightmares, their cottage parents were there to reassure them they were safe. They no longer had to worry where they would lay their heads at night. Each afternoon there was always someone to meet them after they returned from school. There was a caring adult to hear about their day. There was someone to care about how they did on their test and who the new girlfriend or boyfriend was for the day. Here they found a home where they were able to thrive and blossom.

And as the Son is revealed to them, they blossom.

I am very grateful for what God has done and is doing in the lives of those we have been called to care for. Thank you for helping them through the windy, turbulent times of their lives. Thank you for showering them with God's love and grace enabling them to blossom as God intended.

This Sunday April 27, we will have the wonderful blessing of baptizing four on our Mills Home campus. Three weeks ago, we held our birth mom retreat where 15 made decisions for Christ. Hope and healing are taking place.

And as the Son is revealed to them, they blossom.

This weekend I am going to buy flowers and a few vegetable plants. It will be fun to dig in the dirt once again. I will provide the best environment for them with good soil, plenty of water (but not too much, I tend to over water), and plant food. And I will I keep them safe from bugs and varmints. Then comes the joy of watching the plants grow and produce flowers and hopefully a few tomatoes.

It is such a joy to watch as those we serve are rooted and planted in God's Word. Celebrate with us as the Son is revealed. Beautiful flowers are blooming all around us!

NOTE: May brings lots of opportunities to celebrate memories and create new ones. On May 11, we honor and remember our mothers. Mid-May, we remember our college graduates. On the last Monday in May, we commemorate Memorial Day and remember those who have given their lives for our freedom. It is a blessing to remember the people in our lives who encouraged us and influenced us. People who have shown us grace and enriched our lives. People who have revealed the Son to us and in this truth, we have blossomed. Take time to remember these precious people. Call or send them a note. Consider giving a financial gift in their honor or memory. There are so many ways you invest making Jesus known to those we serve. Thank you.

Written by Brenda B. Gray, Executive Vice President, Development & Communications