Full Circle In Transformation
Written by Lisa Green, Fresh Start Program Director of Love INC Heartland
Years ago, *Amy was introduced to Love INC Heartland through our thrift store in Delano, Minnesota. She was expecting a baby, and her husband, *Jack, had been laid off from work. Their marriage was stressful, and they had other young children at home. We helped her pick out some baby clothes, and our excitement helped ease her worries about their situation. She was working at a job that didn’t pay much and wanted to make some changes. She decided to take a financial class with us in our Fresh Start Program. She attended class and met with her mentor, Pam. Jack eventually joined her in the class and the mentoring. They connected well with Pam and began to better understand finances.
Pam was a sweet older lady who poured Christ’s love and value into them. After a while, Pam experienced some health challenges and could no longer mentor. I spoke with her a few times, and she asked about the Fresh Start Program and about Amy and Jack. I would share with her about the lives that were being touched and transformed by God within the program.
A few years ago, Pam passed away. She left Love INC Heartland a significant gift of money because she believed in what God was doing in people’s lives, like Amy and Jack’s. Last year, Amy came into our store. I had not heard from her in years. She handed me an envelope of money and told me Love INC Heartland had helped her family during a very challenging time in their life. Our kindness was something she never forgot.
Since then, God has restored their life, and she has moved to a new position at work where she receives better pay. She wanted to give back and help others as we had helped them. I thought about the money Amy’s mentor had given us and looked at the envelope of money from Amy. I remembered the story of the widow’s mite in Luke 21:1–4, describing the true measure of a gift. It’s not about the monetary value but about the amount of sacrifice and devotion behind it. And suddenly, that small amount of money became significant.
Amy and Jack’s lives had been transformed by God within the Fresh Start Program, and now it had come full circle. God orchestrated this story over ten years ago, starting with Pam’s loving heart and willingness to be the hands and feet of Jesus to Amy and Jack. When Amy handed me the envelope of money and shared her gratitude with us, I smiled and thanked her with amazement in my heart. God worked in their lives, bringing them full circle in transformation.
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NIV
*Names have been changed to maintain confidentiality.