As I arrive to meet a single mom of 5 young children and another single mom with a baby (two different care appointments), I am reminded that stress and trauma haven’t set in overnight. These are layers that run deep. The trust and love that we want to give is sometimes foreign to them, but not unreachable when authentic relationship is involved.
How do we move towards the truth of healing and wholeness here in the Springs?
Bridging together is key. It takes communication and patience to remain a part of this process. When I first met these women referred to Big Table, it didn’t take long to see layers of pain. It is inspiring to hear that other invitations are being given to them through some awesome organizations, too. In a moment, I breathe as thankfulness started washing over me as a care coordinator knowing that Colorado Springs is caring for one another. What a beautiful image of who God is when He calls us into relationship to build community together.
Before I met one of these moms, she had already been taken into a women’s shelter to keep her family safe. Shelter in place, now what…. Safe Families reached out as well, so that mom can go to work and get some form of rest. Shelter in place. Children are cared for and now what? This is the question that rose when I first met these moms…
I started hearing some of the financial debit, long term housing instability, and need for healing through trauma. I take another breath. This time, a question of what is next? Realizing that what might be my next step might not be hers. She is intuitive and has strength within to find what could be a next step. Life is an ebb and flow, so a next step for breakthrough is far more important than a” right” next step. One viewpoint is empowering and gives life, the other one keeps us stuck and afraid. We want to be living life!
I get to help my recipients find what the right step might be. Helping them hasn’t been without the help of others in our community. A wonderful family advocate at Dream Centers and incredible Director of Family Life Services, personal friends that are gifted coaches and counselors, those specializing in the cycle of addiction, and many others. They have sat with me to support, give ideas, ask questions, and provide resources to me.
Bridging together is key.
I feel that they chose to meet with me for no benefit of theirs, but because they see the importance of bringing worth to every individual. The care they have given to Big Table is incredible, as I hope to ask good questions, offer resources that led to a good invitation… an invitation for and outcome of wholeness and abundance!
Thank you Big Table supporters, for trusting and empowering us to go out into this community to bring life, try new things and, yes, face challenges that are sometimes foreign to us as individuals. But this allows us to grow stronger in our weaknesses as we work together to help others flourish over time because we are learning how to meet each other in the real things of life!