“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)
Weakness. It’s not something we like to talk about.
In fact, we live in a world that often preys upon vulnerability. We guard ourselves, unwilling to expose our shortcomings.
Yet, during this Christmas season, I’m reminded of a cherished childhood tradition: watching Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Back then—before YouTube, DVDs, or streaming services—we eagerly waited all year for its single annual airing. I remember gathering around our black-and-white TV, brimming with anticipation for classic lines like Yukon Cornelius exclaiming, “Didn’t I ever tell you about Bumbles? Bumbles bounce!”
One scene always stood out: Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, and Yukon stumble upon the Island of Misfit Toys—a place filled with broken and unwanted toys. The toys’ isolation mirrored how Rudolph and Hermey felt. Misfits. Their weaknesses made them feel unworthy, unloved, and forgotten.
But the King of the Island had a plan. He believed Santa could find a home for each toy—a place where they would be loved, not in spite of their flaws but because of their unique value.
Our King has a plan for us, too.
At Love INC Heartland, our mission is to walk alongside people who feel like misfits—those stuck in cycles of brokenness, shame, or poverty. Just as the misfit toys needed someone to see their value, the people we serve need to hear the life-changing message of Jesus: “You are loved. You are valued. You are not alone.”
We minister to individuals trapped in the cycle of generational poverty. For them, the struggle is rarely just financial. It’s emotional and spiritual. Many feel isolated, unloved, and forgotten, choosing to hide from the world. Yes, they need material assistance—beds, oil changes, diapers, clothing—but these are only temporary solutions. What they truly need is hope.
Transforming lives begins with listening.
At the end of Rudolph, the misfit toys find their place—not because they change who they are, but because someone took the time to care. At Love INC Heartland, we do the same. We walk with people, helping them discover their God-given gifts and reminding them that their weaknesses do not define them.
There is nothing more powerful than witnessing transformation: looking into someone’s eyes as they hear, perhaps for the first time, that they are loved by Jesus. When they finally understand their value—when tears of shame are replaced by tears of hope—it’s a moment that changes everything.
“My grace is sufficient for you.”
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians speak not of physical or worldly weaknesses but of our shared spiritual brokenness. Sin separates us from God, leaving us in a state of shame. Yet Jesus meets us in our weakness, offering grace that is more than sufficient.
That’s the message we bring to the hundreds of people we serve in your communities. It’s the message of grace and hope we share with the 40 families currently in our transformational ministry program. But we can’t do this alone. You can help bring hope to those who feel like misfits.
We invite you to partner with us in this ministry:
- Support Love INC with your treasure by making a donation today.
- Support Love INC with your time by volunteering.
- Support Love INC with your faith by praying for our work and the people we serve.
Together, we can share the hope of Jesus with a broken world. Together, we can remind every person—misfits and all—that they are cherished by God. Thank you for your support, your prayers, and your partnership in this mission.
About Love INC Volunteer Give Now