There Goes The Neighborhood

Psalm 15

A dozen or so years ago, the church I was serving developed a relationship with a women's transition home. The home took in women who were trying to leave abusive situations in their own homes, recently released from incarceration, coming off a life on the streets, or otherwise had a need to transition into a new life away from the things that were bringing them down.

A part of the relationship our church had with the home was providing short-term residence as the women transitioned from the home into a place of their own. We would agree to let the women stay in our home for up to 3 months. The living relationships were discussed on a one on one basis and was between the woman and her new family.

My wife and I invited one of the women to stay at our home and all we asked for was that she would help us in any way she could. She said she wanted to give us money for rent and utilities and help with the upkeep of the home and yard. We told her however she can help would be greatly appreciated.

In the 6 or so weeks she stayed with us we were graced to see how the life of someone can change if they are given the chance to be a productive human being; a person with a purpose. We did our best to accept her for the person she was, never judging her for her past. In fact, we never asked why she was in the transition home. To us, it really didn't matter.

She never did anything to harm the relationships within the home. She would sit around the TV and watch football with us, she would join us for meals, and she was always sensitive to the times my wife and I wanted to be alone by saying an early goodnight and heading to her room. She would keep her room clean, as well as the bathroom she used. She also helped keep clean the common areas around the house. She would trim trees, pull weeds, and talk to the neighbors while doing so.

Her presence in our home was a welcome addition. For the 6 or so weeks she was there we had an extra sister in whom we could be family. When she moved out we felt a sense of emptiness.

Another agreement we had with the transitional home was once the women moved on from us we could have no intentional contact with them. What this meant was that we couldn't call, write, or drop by their new home or there place of work. We could, however, say hi and ask how they're doing when we saw each other at church or in some other public area. That stipulation was so that we would keep the women safe from anyone who may be looking for them, as well as keep ourselves safe.

We never saw this lady again.

Somehow I know she did well after leaving us and I would like to believe she is doing well until this day. She is one of those who did what was right and always spoke the truth. She never said a bad word about us or about our neighbors. She never took more than what she was offered nor expected more because of her situation. Above all else she loved God and others as much as she loved herself.

Taking a stranger into our home wasn't easy. I would be remiss if I didn't mention there were challenges during those 6 weeks, but I can also say that both my wife and I learned a lot more about what it means to be unconditionally accepting in God's love. I don't know where this lady is today, but if by chance she happens to see this I want to say thank you for the love and lessons of Christ you brought into our home.