Seeds of Hope
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” -1 Cor. 3:6,7 (NIV)
I first met Ted in March. He had recently been released from prison after serving 27 years for murder. After reading over his discharge papers (which described Ted’s diagnosis of severe mental illness, his past substance abuse issues and his “robotic” like physical movements), I immediately liked the guy.
Ex-convicts and those who have mental illness can often become isolated from the rest of society. This isolation can overwhelm individuals and cause them to make more bad decisions that affect the lives of themselves and others. Sometimes the best thing Christians can do is befriend one of these people and lend a listening ear.
I began to meet with Ted on a weekly basis and helped him to save money through our savings program. We filled out the necessary paperwork to get him approved for government assisted housing and coordinated some familial ties to help with moving and getting his apartment set-up.
Ted came into my office yesterday with a big smile on his face. Ecstatically he told me how he loved his new apartment and he couldn’t stop saying, “Praise God!” I took down his new address and some other contact information. I expressed that I would be calling him from time to time to see if he needed any assistance and that he could call me anytime as well.
Sometimes the work we do here at Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission isn’t always the most exciting feats in comparison to mass revivals, symphony led worship services and miraculous healings. But by planting seeds in the forms of listening, laughing and assisting people in mundane tasks, God grows these little acts into something truly beautiful.
Clay Parks
Director of Men’s Ministry
cparks@sundaybreakfast.org
