An Invitation

Hello friends!

I’m so glad that you stumbled upon this page because I have such an exciting opportunity to share with you. As I mentioned in my last post, I had the privilege of interning at Rehema Home for the past year. Rehema Home is a nonprofit organization that cares for orphans in Kenya. They currently have two homes. One is located in the capital city, Nairobi, and the other home is in a more rural setting, Bukura. Between the two homes, Rehema is home to over 100 children.

This pictures was taken in Kigali, Rwanda.
Rwanda is where I first fell in love with the continent of Africa.

For the past year, I’ve been interning at their U.S office located in Penfield, NY. The office functions to fundraise and bring awareness for the work being done in Kenya. I loved my time interning with the organization and believe so strongly in the work they are doing in Africa which is why I am pleased to say that at the end of my internship, they invited me to join the team and I gladly accepted.

I will be working at the Penfield office and assisting in the efforts to continue to raise funds and support for both the Homes and future expansion opportunities for the organization. It is an exciting time of growth for Rehema Home and I can’t wait to see all that God does and continues to do.

While I am excited for the work that is happening at Rehema Home, I am also excited about the season I am personally in because I know that it is a season where I will be stretched and challenged. In this position, I am raising my own monthly financial support, as a home-based missionary. This is a large step of faith and calls me out of my comfort zone, but I am confident that God will provide and am excited to see how He will grow me in the process.

I’d love for you to invite you to join my financial support team. You can do so here. My goal is to raise $2000/month. All donations are tax deductible:

Payment options

Option 1 : $25.00 USD - monthly Option 2 : $35.00 USD - monthly Option 3 : $40.00 USD - monthly Option 4 : $50.00 USD - monthly Option 5 : $65.00 USD - monthly Option 6 : $75.00 USD - monthly Option 7 : $100.00 USD - monthly Option 8 : $150.00 USD - monthly Option 9 : $200.00 USD - monthly Option 10 : $250.00 USD - monthly

Or you can write checks payable to Rehema Home, with a note saying that it is to support me. My name can't go on the check. Checks can be mailed to:

Rehema Home
3295 Fairway 6
Macedon, NY 14502

If you are local to the Rochester area, I’d love to take you out to coffee and share more about Rehema with you and answer any questions that you may have. If you’re out of town, I’d be happy to set up a phone call to do the same. You can connect with me at joelle@rehemahome.org. 

I also would appreciate prayer support. In fact, I covet your prayers because I know that without them none of this is possible. I am trusting God for divine appointments and provision and am so thankful that I am placing my trust in a promise keeper. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you.

Also, you can learn more about the awesome work Rehema is doing at: www.rehemahome.org/

A Story

For those of you who don't know, I've had the privlege of interning with Rehema Home for the past year. Rehema Home is a nonprofit organization that cares for orphans in Kenya. There are currently two homes and over 100 children, with smiles that will melt your heart. For more on Rehema, you should swing by www.rehemahome.org or find them on facebook at Rehema Home Orphanage. It's an incredible organization doing incredible work. I bragged all year long that I thought I was at the best internship placement possible, because I was.

The story of how I ended up interning with Rehema Home, for me, is a tangible example of God's faithfulness. So that's the story I would like to share.

Each year in the MSW program, which is the program I have been in for the past 2 years and recently graduated from, students complete internships. Students sit down with the field director and discuss their career interests and what they would like out of an internship and then the field director sends the students 2 or 3 contacts from different organizations for the student to connect with and set up an interview. After my initial meeting, I was sent one contact, with a note that if I was not interested in that one, she would look for more contacts in my areas of interest and get back to me. In the fields I was interested in, there weren't too many options.

So I contacted the organization that she had gave me and set up an interview. After the interview, the woman who interviewed me told me that if I was interested in interning there, all I had to do was return paperwork back within 2 weeks and I would be all set. And because I wanted to be done with the whole finding an internship process and liked the organization, I accepted and returned the paperwork, even though I had no peace about it and felt really unsettled in my decision.

Now, fast forward a few months and I haven't heard anything back from the woman and because it nearing the time that school started back up again, I began to get nervous. I sent a few e-mails and contacted the field director to let her know I was having difficulty getting in touch with the organization. Within those few months of not hearing anything back, I also had the opportunity to go back to Rwanda and fell in love with Africa all over again. Therefore, in my moments of nervousness due to lack of response, I started to wonder if there were any organizations in the Rochester area that worked with Africa that had interns. I know what you're thinking, probably not.

I thought it too, but then I remembered my mom told me that she had talked to a family friend who pastors a church and had mentioned a few organizations that work with Africa so I contacted the family friend and asked. She sent me back 2 organization names, which I googled and emailed that night inquirying.

The one organization told me that they were a very small organization and were unable to accept interns at this time. The other organization was Rehema Home and the communication's director, Lance, e-mailed me back and we set up a time to meet for coffee and discuss the possibility.

After meeting for coffee, I knew I wanted to intern there and be a part of the work they were doing in Kenya. The day after our coffee meeting, the field director at Roberts told me she had gotten in contact with the organization I had previously accepted the internship with and they had told her that the woman who was supposed to supervise me had lost her job and there was no longer an internship opportunity there and that she would send me other places to pursue. I told her about Rehema Home and how if that would meet all the school's requirements, I would like to intern there (after Rehema confirmed that it was an option, of course).

The field director was not sure it would meet all the requirments, but told me that I could pursue it and try. One of the requirments that the internship did not meet is that there was not a licensensed social worker on staff to supervise me for an hour each week, which is required in the MSW program, but the field director told me that if I could find an off-site supervisor and meet all the learning objectives, I could intern there. So I began the hunt for a supervisior.

I asked 5 people and got 5 no's, with good reasons but I was running out of professors and contacts to ask. And surprisnlgy I wasn't worried, ever since that intital coffee with Lance I had a peace about interning there and knew it would work out. The 6th person I asked said that they would not leave me hanging, but they thought there was a better fit than them that I should contact. I contacted the person they suggested and she said she would do it and I honestly don't think I could have had a better person for the role.

So after dotting all the i's and crossing the t's in the paperwork, I was able to intern there and it was an incredible year. I feel privileged to have been part of the team and sincerely believe it is one of the best run organizations around. The people that I got to work with each day are some of the most life-speaking, affirming people I know. When people asked me about my internship, one of my responses most often was that I love it there for so many reasons, but the greatest being that there can be a day where we don't mention the name of Jesus out loud, but there is never a day where I didn't see Him exemplified. It truly was the best internship.


And the best part is, even now after school is done, I still get to be a part, but that's another blog post. I love recalling this story and the process of becoming an intern at Rehema because it reminds me that God's plans for me are good and that He is faithful. That even in the unanswered e-mails and phone calls and even in the no's one after other, He is on my side. The verse that has rang through my ears so many times this past year is Ephesians 3:20, which talks about how God is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine.

All I wanted was an internship to meet the program's requirements and what I got was way more than anything I asked for or imagined could happen.

And for that, I'm beyond thankful.

I saw Jesus

Sometimes emotions hit hard.

Maybe it was watching my little sister be excited to participate in the Special Olympics. Maybe it was seeing people spontaneously decide to be baptized and celebrating their decision with them. Maybe it was the gentle breeze, sun setting, and the blasting of Kim Walker's "Still Believe" on the drive home. Or maybe, I'm just overtired.

But tonight, emotions are hitting hard.

And the greatest emotion of them all is an overwhelming sense of thankfulness.

There were moments throughout the year where I felt like God was silent. Moments where I felt like I was sitting on the sidelines, discontent with where I was at. Moments where I felt inadequate or like I would never measure up. Moments where I longed for Light to invade darkness. You know the moments- We all have them. Moments where we are desperate to see Jesus.

And when I look back on the year, it takes my breath away. Because in so many faces. In so many conversations. In so many experiences- I saw Him.

And  I'm so thankful because when I look back, specifically in those moments, it's impossible for me not to recognize that He has always been closer than my breath. Always. I'm thankful that the love of God is unconditional. That He is patient with me over and over again. I'm thankful for His grace and that His promises are yes and amen. I'm thankful that the Creator of every star in the sky, knows everything about me, EVERYTHING, and still delights in calling me His. And He always will.

He always will.

How could I ever ask for anything more?

Still, He has customized my world with family, friends, and experiences as tangible proof of that love. Which is mind-blowing to me because so often, I see Him in them and the part that leaves me speechless is that normally it's when I let life take control of itself and I'm not seeking Him like I should be that He shows up in them in the biggest ways. It's the moments where I am the most distracted, the most independent, and where I am seeking other things first, that He reminds me of who He is.

If it was me, in those moments, it would be hard for me to extend that kind of love because I would feel slighted, offended, hurt, or taken for granted. I certainly wouldn't decide to lavish my love on someone in those moments, but He does.

And has over and over again and I'm so thankful. I always hear about how God is our provider and generally, it's regarding finances, but I think He also provides us with the people we need. To smile at the right moment. To say the words we need to hear. To cheer us on. To rejoice with us and weep with us. To be part of the moments that take our breath away- whether they're a leading role or an extra whose name you might not even know. And as messy as people are, I think He gave us each other, so that we could see more of Him.

I believe that with my whole heart because the last year of my life attests to it. I've been changed because of the people in my life. So I'd like to say thank you to all of those who have played a role in my life, big or small, in the past year: Because of you, I saw Jesus.

And what a breathtakingly beautiful sight.

He Is Not Done With Me Yet

It's really easy to look perfect in today's society. It's not hard to make it appear that we have it all together, all of the time. And maybe some people actually do, but I for one, know that I don't. Not even a little bit. So allow me to be honest with you.

On any given week, looking in on my life, you would notice that:

I get really angry when I am driving behind cars going below the speed limit. Really angry is being generous. I turn into a not so smooth talking sailor who huffs and puffs and blows by the car the first chance I get. This does not make me cool. This makes me inpatient and rude.

My feelings get hurt a lot and way too easily. Too often, I let people determine my worth. I know that's not where my worth comes from, but I would be lying if I said that there were never incidences where I equated unanswered phone calls, ignored texts, or comments made by those around me to how worth it I am.

I get really awkward when I am anxious. I straighten my bangs with my hair and stammer. I talk in circles and try to overcompensate for my nerves with humor, but my anxious humor is never funny. In fact, it generally doesn't even make sense. And if it makes sense, it's probably offensive and I end up crying about potentially hurting someone's feelings later.

I am a procrastinator, in everything. From school work to future life plans. Some people work under pressure. I don't work unless there is pressure. Nor do I get out of bed the first, second, or third time the alarm goes off and if it gets to the fourth time, I'm out a shower. So I wear hats. A lot.

I have this reoccuring fear that everyone I care about is eventually going to walk away and forget me. And I know it's a lie straight from Hell, but I believe it time and time again and expect it to happen. And as a result, I put that expectation on people. Any indication that there is a chance someone is pushing me away, my thoughts take off and before you know it, in my mind, the friendship is already over when in reality, they never even got my message.

I hate, hate, HATE it when people do not say please or thank you. One unsaid thank you and you can't get me down from my soap box on how entitlement is ugly and that thankfulness begins where entitlement ends.

Which brings me to my next point. I'm a hypocrite. I hate when people forget their thank yous, but sometimes days go by before I ever stop to thank God. Days.

Sometimes I gossip and I'm really good at justifying it. I could justify it all day long, in twelve different languages, and at the end of the day, it would still be gossip. And it breaks my heart because I am a big believer in speaking life over people and into situations and gossip is not life. My gossip is normally judgement. And when I said I could justiify it in 12 different languages, I lied.

On days where I am feeling emotional, I emotionally eat. Tim Horton's suddenly becomes my best friend and eating 20 timbits in 10 minutes becomes my favorite pass time. And after that doesn't work, I sleep. If sleeping doesn't work, I cry. And generally when I am crying, I realize that my first action should have been prayer.

One of my favorite songs right now is by Will Reagan and is called running in circles. One of the lyrics in the song is " I am so forgetful, but You always remind me that You're the Only One who brings me peace." This song is about me. I am so forgetful.

But I am so thankful that He always reminds me. I am so thankful that even though I am not perfect and that I do not have it all together, He calls me His anyway. And He can handle all of  me. Nothing about my life has ever been perfect, except for Jesus. He is.

"I can't understand this work of grace.
How a perfect God would come to take my place.
The stars, they don't move you.
The waves can't undo you.
The mountains in their splendor, they cannnot steal your heart.
This God, who is holy. Perfect in beauty.
Awesome in glory is ravished by my heart.
Though I'm poor, You say I am lovely.
Though I'm dark, You say I am beautiful.
Somehow my weak glance has overwhelmed You.
Somehow my weak love, it has stolen away Your heart"

I am so incredibly thankful that I am His and He is mine and that He is not done with me yet.

Faith, not Fad.

I recently read a study done by Willow Creek Church in which they defined spiritual growth as increasing in love for God and for others. And I love that definition mostly because it did not confuse spiritual growth with church involvement. Although one does not have to exist without the other. In fact, I would argue that church involvement fosters spiritual growth. But I would also argue- not always.

Later on in that study, it stated that "God "wired" us FIRST and foremost to be in a growing relationship with Him- not the church." And that's the distinguishing factor for me. If my relationship with Jesus is growing along with my church involvement, my church involvement will probably support my spiritual growth. However, if only how many services I serve at and how many events I go to is growing and I'm not growing my relationship with Jesus, my faith is a fad. A fad is defined is "an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short-lived; a craze." And faith that is a fad makes me really sad.

This is so close to my heart because when faith is just a fad, people are missing out on the freedom and abundant life that comes from knowing Jesus. And I know that a church is a better place for people to be and has the greater chance for those whose faith is a fad to grow into real faith, but not if we are unwillingly to challenge it. The danger of tolerating fake faith is that it creates a superficial atmosphere and Jesus is not shown in the superficial.

Faith that is a fad is contagious, but so is genuine faith. It is my assertion that fad-like faith is not bad, but it's a sign that an individual is seeking and desiring more in their life, but for that person,  faith is unfamiliar territory so they attach themselves to things that are safer, like church involvement. Which is awesome, but unless that person is met with someone committed to real spiritual growth, faith that is only a fad will become the norm, the accepted, the "that must be what this is", and that person will be left missing out and because fads are short-lived, they will leave and move on when the next fad comes.

So my challenge is to those who are committed in their faith to be committed to being genuine. How often does our own faith look like a fad? How many times do we say "you should help out with this event" or "volunteer here" without actually caring for the heart of the person?  What if we stopped leading tasks and projects and started leading people? What if instead of encouraging relationship with the church, we prayed people would be in relationship with Jesus and then be lead, rather than persuaded, to be involved with the church? What if our hearts started to break for fad-like faith and we began to realize our own contribution to the problem? What if we stopped confusing church involvement with spiritual growth?

I'm not sure about you but when I imagine what that would like that and how communities would be transformed, it takes my breath away and I am undone by the reality that God promises that He will do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine. And I'm left speechless in awe of the Creator of the Universe.

Holy moly. Who is like our God? For Whom nothing is impossible.

I think maybe I feel so strongly about this because I recognize how much authenticity in people and the sharing of their genuine faith has touched my life. Read more here.

Words Matter.

Words are no joke.

God created the world by speaking His words and left us His word to communicate with us. He also tells us that "the simple moral fact is that words kill" (Matthew 5 MSG).

Words kill.

To me, that's a scary statement because there are many times where I am much too free with my words. OR on the flip side, there are times where I don't speak the words I should, words that could be life-giving to situations or individuals and it is my assertion that while words can kill, unspoken words can also kill. What we say matters because we are formed by the dialogue we engage in.

We are Formed by Dialogue

"Adult dialogue in particular can be edifying. When two persons meet together, each may know things the other does not and each may see things about the other that the other does not. So if they love each other, dialogue between them inevitably leads to enrichment and building up of each other.....Moreover, human image-bearing is especially realized in dialogue with the living God, who is speaking to us one way or another through Scripture (most clearly), through the creation, and through our dialogue with others" (Johnson, 2007, 14-15).

Human image-bearing is realized through dialogue with God and sometimes He uses us and our dialogue with others in the realization process. Therefore, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we are to "encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing."

Words Matter

Life and death are in the power of the tongue. I understand that truth and as someone who has been given abundant life through Jesus, I want my words to be words of life and this influences my dialogue. Speaking life and encouragement are close to my heart and while there are many moments where I fail at this, it is something that I am intentional about in my relationships. I want people to know that someone is proud of them, that someone thinks they are great, that they are loved, that someone is praying for them, that they look nice, that someone is thankful for them, and that someone is rooting for them from their corner. So I tell them and I make sure that I only tell them things that I mean because one of my biggest frustrations is empty words said for the speaker's own benefit, but that could be another whole blog in it of itself.

Speaking those kinds of truths over people matter because we are formed by dialogue. By doing this, we are showing Life in a world that is desperate for it and I know that this matters because often times when I am speaking truth to someone, I hear the enemy's voice the loudest.

You are annoying. You told them that last week. They don't think you mean it. Encouraging words to them from you have lost all meaning. They don't care what YOU have to say. Why would your thoughts towards them matter? All your words are doing is bothering them. You should just shut up.

So sometimes I do. I shut up and I don't speak the life that I could have spoken. I allow death to keep its ground- Leaving the person who was feeling defeated, feeling defeated. The one who thinks they are all alone, thinking they are all alone. The one who feels unnoticed, feeling unnoticed. And while I am under no impression that my words can change those things apart from Jesus, I do believe that Christ in me is the hope of glory and that life-giving words push back some of the darkness. Shutting up doesn't. Unspoken words can also kill.

This is a hard post to write because the past month I've been listening to a lot of dialogue. And the dialogue that I've been listening to sounds a lot like what the enemy wants me to believe. He wants me to think that my words don't matter because I don't matter and that when I encourage others all I am is a bother. And there have been moments throughout the month where I have believed that. There have been moments where I have told myself that I just won't say certain things to people for awhile and maybe then it will mean something to them. There have been words said that have been met by silence and in the silence, satan shouts "I told you so" and I've believed it.

But there have also been moments in the past month where people have said "I'm proud of you", "I'm praying for you", "You are loved", "I am thankful for you", and "I think you're great." And I know how those moments made me feel and how life-giving those words were and how thankful I am that those people did not shut up.

Words matter. Whether they are valued or not, they matter. Whether I'm seen as a bother or not, they matter. Whether I've said it 100 times or not, they matter. Whether I'm annoying or not, they matter. We are shaped by our dialogue.

God communicates to us and others through dialogue. Dialogue is made up of words. Your words, or lack of words, matter.

Speak life.

Featured Friends Friday: Robbie and Leticia

Meet Robbie and Leticia. I'm not sure how I went from being too shy to say a full sentence to them to being comfortable enough to call them when I'm upset, but I'm really glad I did.

I think the likely answer is that they're great. Actually, more than great. They are such incredible conduit's of God's love. I have never left a conversation with them or time spent with them questioning their love for me. And loving in that kind of way is a characteristic that has been passed down to their three beautiful children. It's impossible for me to walk into their house and not feel loved and valued.

It has been a honor watching them raise their children up in the way that they should go over the years. I met them when their two oldest were still babies and Christian wasn't even yet born. Now, they are all in school or pre-k and it is a privilege to see how they've grown. Last weekend, I was able to watch as their oldest son was baptised and I was overwhelmed knowing how many lives his little life has already touched and how great the plans that God has for him are as he continues to grow. And I found myself so thankful for Robbie and Leticia and their commitment to raise their kids in a home that serves the Lord.

One of my favorite qualities about these two, and there are many, is that there is never an air of judgement around them. On more than one occasion, I've shared things with them that were likely judgement-raising kinds of sharing and have always been met with love and truth. I'm fully convinced that I could share anything with them and find myself in a safe place. And because I know they're safe places, I've come to them in moments of frustration and sadness and been able to drop the mask I was wearing and simply be. And in those moments, I was met with individuals who rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. I was met with people who made time to stop what they were doing to sit with me and speak truth to me, over me, and for me.

It's also impossible not to have fun when with them and their family. I would bet you to try to spend an hour with them and not laugh, but it's an unfair bet- because it's an impossible task. You will laugh and you won't be able not to.

 

Robbie and Letty, thank you for allowing me into your lives and sharing your family with me. My life has been richly blessed by you all in it and I know it will continue to be. Thank you for being constant sources of encouragement and love. For being listening ears and compassionate teachers. For all the laughs and all the prayers. And not being scared off by the tears. I love you so very much!

Featured Friend Friday: BA

 

 

 

Meet BA (Brette-Ashley).

 

BA is one of my oldest (as in years known) and dearest friends. She knew me way back in middle school when I was the dorky little girl on the soccer team with the bleached black collared shirt, big framed glasses, and braces. And now years and years later, she still lets this dorky grown girl call her friend.

 

 

I am so lucky to have been able to grow up and do life with this girl by my side. There are few people who I am as comfortable with as BA. I love that when we get together, no matter how much time has lapsed in between, it is like no time has passed at all. We can always pick up where we left off. And I love how when we get together, it doesn't matter what we do- from ripping out carpet to taking naps as we fall asleep to our latest TV season binge- I leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

 

 

When I think back on our friendship, it is impossible not to laugh at all our memories. Placing second in the talent show in high school, even though none of us knew how to play our instruments. Winning soccer sectionals in the snow. Wearing tap shoes to Family Video. Making confession videos. Choreographing dances. Rapping raps. And so, so many more.

 

Most of our memories are very silly and I am so thankful to have a friend to be silly with, but who I can also talk "real life" with. One of my favorite ways to pass time in an afternoon to sit across a room talking to this lady.

 

 

In the last few years, BA has picked up photography and is doing some great work. And I can say from experience (hahaha) that she is a pleasure to work with. You can check out her stuff at: http://www.bretteashley.com/ || Sidenote: Love the new site look and music!

 

 

I read a quote the other day that said:

 

"We click. There aren't many people that you just 'click' with,

and when you find those people, you don't just let them go."

 

Since I've known, BA, we've always clicked. And the friendship we have is one of my very most favorite. I feel so blessed to have lived life with her for so many years and privileged to know that there will be many, many more years because well, I'm just not letting her go. I love you, BA and I am so thankful to call you friend.

 

And for your viewing pleasure, here is some silly.....

 

 



 

I am Dysfunctional

Last January, I had the privilege to visit an outreach center connected to a local church in Rochester through the program I am in at Roberts.The assistant pastor spoke and his message has played over and over again in my mind. I decided to look back on my journal entry from that day to read through my reflection and this is what I read....

"I don't want to forget what the pastor said tonight. He said that the people that come into the center are often living in dysfunction and sometimes that dysfunction feels safer than not living in it. It's familiar to them. It might not be comfortable, but they've learned to be comfortable there. They've learned how to survive there. Sometimes the thought of leaving that dysfunction- that familiarity- is terrifying because it's all they know. He was speaking about people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. People who are stuck in abusive relationships. People who are trapped in cycles of prostitution. But he was also talking about me. I haven't been able to get that thought out of my mind since I heard him say it. I haven't been able to forget that because how often am I in desperate need for a breakthrough or change, but feel the resistancy in my spirit and feel the fear that is shouting out at me that if this really happens, what will that look like? It's scary. Change is scary."

I wrote that on January 21st, 2012. Now fast forward to almost exactly a year later (1/18/13)  and in my journal you would find...

"So often God is knocking at the doors of our hearts with so much to offer that He wants to give us and delights in giving us, but we politely just take a bite because we know if we fully embrace it, our lives will be transformed and sometimes, if we're honest, transformation doesn't fit into our schedules. We don't have the time to grieve or weep or pray or praise and we know those things accompany radical transformation. We are used to our patterns of dysfunction and our busyness and even though we know transformation is GREATER, we choose familiar. We are scared, but we are forgetting that Perfect Love is at our door promising to cast out that fear if we welcome Him in. We are settling for good when the choice for BETTER is longing for us to not be satisfied with only a bite."


It's easy for me to look at the lives of others and pick out what is wrong. It's easy for me to identify patterns of dysfunction in those around me. It's easy to see their BETTER and to overlook how hard it might be for them to take the steps needed to get there, because they've become comfortable in their familiar. Even if their familiar comes with addiction, oppression, or depression.


But if I am really honest with myself, I would have to say that I am only walking and living in a "bite" of what God has said that He has given me. I have settled for patterns of dysfunction in my own life and chosen familiar over better countless times. But Perfect Love is at my door and I am going to answer it.  And in doing so, it's going to require that I become more acquainted with discomfort and unfamiliarity, but I am learning that it is in moments or seasons of unfamiliarity where I become more familiar with God.

I think maybe when God gives us the ability to see dysfunction in our lives and the lives of others, He wants us to remember how scary it is for us and instead of pointing fingers or writing people off, He wants us be people who say "it's going to be scary, but it's going to end in BETTER." I think He wants us to be people that come along side  one another, recognizing our own brokenness, and say "I'm on this journey too. You are not alone. Together, let's become more familiar with God. It might be uncomfortable, but the God of all Comfort is on the throne."

And He makes broken lives beautiful....