Morning Thought 2
Tuesday August 14th 2018
Good morning.
For the next three mornings I will
concentrate on Mustard Seed’s Changed Lives project which helps those who are
homeless and in a bad situation accommodation and offers the chance to be safe
and regroup.
One of Mustard Seed success stories
has to be the Benedict family. We met them first when they were sheltering in a
tiny freezing leaking shed as their home had been demolished.
Through the generosity of islanders we were able to provide them with a porter cabin
on what has now become the Changed Lives site. The Benedicts
deeply appreciated the help we’d given and worked hard to improve their
situation.
As well as working hard, Mr Benedict
especially did some serious thinking about his life and how he had been given a
second chance when he was in dire straits.
As a result of thinking and praying
he began an internet search for his estranged daughter. He did not know if she
would accept his apology for deserting her 20 years ago but he wanted to seek
her forgiveness.
Let’s cut a long story short : To
everyone’s joy and amazement the daughter accepted her father back into her
life, welcomed his new wife and their adopted handicapped son. She has a
business and accommodation and part time work available which she has given to
the Benedicts.
So the Benedicts moved on to something which was far better,
reunited with family, with permanent employment and accommodation. For them the
Changed Lives project was a transit home, a stepping stone.
In Mustard Seed we believe that God
does give people second chances if they accept it. We are thrilled to have been
involved in how the Benedicts found their second
chance and reconciliation with their family.