Living for the Lives of Others

I’m a people watcher. I love observing people and thinking about the life they must have lead, or the life they are now living. During our trips to Skid Row, my heart aches as I watch its’ residents. Some tell of their sad story, others don’t say much, and you can tell by their demeanor that it hasn’t been easy.

As I watched and talked, I came across a girl named Tiffany. She was extremely under weight, and her makeup had been smeared from what looked like a rough night. Her shirt was too small and her pants too big for her malnourished body. Going in and out of consciousness as we talked, I knew she was under the use of some kind of drug. “Heroin…” the lady next to her said, “and she’s five months pregnant.” Her stomach was the biggest thing on her. And I couldn’t help but think of the poor child inside.

Knowing that the baby would be born addicted to heroin, if it was born at all, we knew she needed help. I called several shelters for pregnant women, none of which would take her. We then talked with some people at a nearby clinic, and she was allowed to go there for further help. Though we assisted her with physical needs that day, we made sure she connected our help to the delivering love of Jesus, for we knew He is what will truly turn her life around. I share this story to show what God’s love looks like in action. That woman has most likely made many bad decisions in her life, but is deeply loved by Him regardless. And though we all have the same story of bad decisions, we are children of God and are called to show her the saving grace and love we receive. What would that girl have done that day if we had not been there? Where would she have slept that night? What is that child’s chance of coming into this world healthy? What would that percentage have been without our intervention?

God commands of us to give. Give of our time, our money, our life. We already have the blessing of knowing Him, and sitting under His blessings daily. The least we can do is simply obey what He asks of us. It is crucial in the happiness of our life and in the lives of the people around us. For me, it was crucial in Tiffany’s life and in her unborn baby’s. Who’s life will you affect?

-Courtnay, Ohio