Listening to Pandora radio on a fairly quiet afternoon at the day center, and the beautiful hymn, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing came on. Becky and I found ourselves singing the deep truths of this treasured hymn, while we each worked side by side on some rather boring computer work. Becky commented on a particular line, “streams of mercy never ceasing”. That is a gem of truth that we can sing each and every day here at Family Promise. There are days that stream is harder to find, but that stream flows whether we have the eyes to see it or not.
Today, on the eve of our Thanksgiving Holiday, I’d like to list out some of the thanksgiving we have heard directly from the guests working with Family Promise. Please understand the gratitude expressed in this list is a direct result of your generosity, through your gifts of service, prayers and financial support:
“I have a safe place for my family with nice people in our lives.”
“We have been blessed by the folks in the churches. Thank you.”
“Family Promise impacted my life like nothing else before has.”
“If there weren’t a Family Promise, I don’t know what I’d do.”
From a recent Facebook post, “By the grace of God, we found our way to Family Promise. We weren’t in the program very long, but the reason I’m writing tonight is to emphasize: Don’t ever give up. I know at times it seems like the clouds are never going to clear, …But it DOES get better – you’re never beaten until you give up. Thank you Family Promise for being here when we needed you, for all your support since we left, and for everything you do for so many people!”
“Bless Family Promise.”
“The food is wonderful. It’s cooked with love”
“I want to have Thanksgiving at Family Promise because it will be fun” (from a part time program 8 year old who spends 50% time with Dad, and 50% time with Mom in Family Promise.)
“I’m gaining weight from all this good food at Family Promise! I’ve never eaten so well.”
“I never knew there were so many nice people in the world.”
“I don’t need anything; the church gave us everything we need.” (from a 5 year old boy the morning after his birthday)
And so the best way to express a few of the streams of mercy never ceasing, directly through the song of Thanksgiving expressed through the guests of Family Promise. Thank you to each of you for your care. May you be blessed with streams of mercy never ceasing this Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends. Please remember the guests in the rotation, in the temporary housing program, and the graduates of Family Promise in your prayers.
“I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us…He said, “Surely they are my people”…In his love and mercy he redeemed them…” Isaiah 63:7,8-9 (niv)