Saturday, September 15, 2012

A Difference

Linking with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday & Laura at Faith Filled Friday

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. The greatest disease is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. The only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love" Mother Teresa

They're women, young and old....from all walks of life....sharing one thing in common.....they've all been arrested and are sitting in jail doing time. They're from big families and small and others alone with no family at all. Some come from affluent backgrounds...others scraping to just to get by.

Sitting across from the women...listening to their stories of rape and abuse and trauma..it's easy to understand how they got caught up in things that landed them in prison. 

Driving home, I thought about being there...in the prison....locked in with the women.....and wondered what I was even doing going there. The stats aren't good.....most will get out and fall again. But for every nine or ten women...there's one who will change....who won't return into the system...one who will learn how to fly.

Hope...it's all I have to give.
Hope that nothing is impossible..
Hope that He makes a difference....
Hope that jail can be a stepping stone not the end of the road.

Hope...even a flicker goes a long way.
Hope...I think we get it from each other - So today I make a commitment....to go back next week...and the week after.....and keep going back for that one who will grab onto the message....believe it....and rise above her situation. 

Love isn't love until I give it away.....

26 comments:

Connie said...

What an inspiring post! I do believe that everyone can make a difference in the lives of others even if sometimes they aren't aware of the impact they have made. Bless you for caring about those who are in need.

Chatty Crone said...

Well we have been through a lot - and I think it is amazing how we turned out - not perfect - but we didn't end up in jail either. I have had relatives and friends in jail and I can tell you - it is so sad. Love you.

Mevely317 said...

I love your optimism, Nikki! ... and could certainly take a lesson from your outlook.
I think your words make us all want to be a little better person.

Angel said...

So true. "Hope...even a flicker goes a long way." Love this.

Karen said...

Yes, you are making a difference. God's light shines through you in a dark place.

sharon said...

I have friends doing prison ministry and it does give them many blessings, the joy when one of the prisoners sees the light is worth all the gold in the world. That flicker of god's love is all they need for as Victor Hugo said - The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved - loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

Wanda's Wings said...

Hope is the key.

Renee said...

Bless you for giving your heart to this ministry, Sarah! May God give the increase!

Anonymous said...

Hope and giving love away, a powerful but true message. Just came by your blog and I am your newest follower. Behind The Smile.

Lisa Lewis Koster said...

What a wonderful ministry you have! May God bless you in it!

Patrinas Pencil said...

"Hope...I think we get it from each other"

Testimony is key to igniting HOPE...in a hopeless situation. You are giving HOPE just by being there. You are a walking - talking - breathing - praising testimony.

I loved the quote at the beginning. Powerfully rich....

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. The greatest disease is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. The only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love"
Mother Teresa"

You are loving them...by your presence... your listening ear...your tender heart shine into their darkness with that lost ray of HOPE. It's like a spark... that ignites a blazing fire. I pray that your presence lights up the room when you enter their darkness...because of the HOPE of Jesus within you. His LIGHT goes with you...wherever you go. Stand tall...stand sturdy...stand brightly. You carry the only LIGHT that can permanently shatter their darkness! Continue, my friend...to go in HIS LOVE for them ...and He will do the rest!

Blessings to you, dear soul
Patrina <")>><

Aritha V. said...

Inspiring! Thank you for this posting!

Pamela said...

One of my favorite Mother Teresa quotes. And such a beautiful song to illustrate it. Pulls at my heartstrings and increases my desire to give my love away!

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

And the hope that you have to offer is worth everything! Keep sharing, keep shining!

xo

Joy (Aesther) said...

Hey what an inspiring post! Touched my heart alot... God bless ya Nikki! :D

Belle said...

Beautiful post! I love Mother Teresa - her life and love have been an inspiration to me. May God bless you and those who are suffering in jail around the world. You are doing a wonderful work.

Saleslady371 said...

I do think we get hope from one another as you said. Thank you for serving those women and believing in them.

joy said...

What a wonderful testimony and bless you Sis Sarah for doing it.
It made me think also about our work with the elderly at the nursing home. They have different story, lived their lives and soon their life would end. But as we share the gospel to them, i pray that God will work in their hearts so that they will be ready to meet our savior.

Denise said...

Prison ministry is so powerful; you are a blessing to offer yourself and follow your heart Sarah! God has you in the perfect place to share a gift that will touch many. :)

Blessings and hugs friend,
Denise

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

My spirit just jumps with AMEN and then I am silenced!!

Starry Dawn said...

Hi Sarah,
I agree with you.
We can't change the whole world, but we may certainly change our little corner at a time, an inch by inch, a little by little, so we can make a real difference in the end. I agree with you that love can definetely change people, especially those who might feel unwanted, unloved, lonely, etc.
I am so glad to have found you in Blogland. You are a great inspiration for many readers, Sarah. Thank you for sharing your talents with the world!
You are blessed and gifted, you are a child of God.
Praise the Lord for your blessings!
Thank you so much for visiting my sites, and for encouraging me to keep on going!
You are a super friend.
God may always bless you, and those you love, Sarah!
Kind Regards & Warm Hugs,
Poet Starry.

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

You have a very wonderful ministry!

Crown of Beauty said...

I know why you visit those women, cause in your heart you are hoping that one of them will choose to move on and never go back to that place.

Praying with you that as you sow seeds of hope in that place, one or two or even three will have those seeds sown in their own hearts. Oh, I pray... I pray... and hope with you.

Much love
Lidia

A Mother Always said...

Hope is a powerful feeling,and it does wonders to spur people to live on.

Praying with you for all need it.

BM

Charlotte said...

What a blessing you have been to so many. I love the way God uses you to give hope to the hopeless.
Blessings,
Charlotte

Anna said...

That is one of my favorite quotes, so true!