Two years ago, I would have enjoyed my own personal serenade going on, as worship songs wafted through the floor of my kitchen from my son’s room below. Since age 13, he’s practiced for countless hours, first on an acoustic guitar, then adding electric. That addition was a little louder, but I still welcomed it. Over the years, as he continued to grow and improve, I listened to his heart sing out praises to Jesus, through his voice and fingers, and my heart joined his, as I listened to my son worship. And then one day, he went away to college, and it stopped. Oh, he still plays, but it’s a little hard to hear when he is 11 hours away.

 

As I stood washing my dishes, I could hear his voice in the songs I listened to, his personalized twist that he would put on every song. Even though I know he is where he is supposed to be, doing the things God wants, my heart still longs for those days to return. No one prepares you for when they leave. Raising adult children is hard in 100 different ways, but it’s a season, right? Season changes are necessary for all the reasons, but that doesn’t mean the transition is always easy. Thanksgiving will be the first Holiday he won’t be home. Yet another season.

 

What season are you experiencing? Is it the anticipation of the Holiday season? Is it dread because a loved one isn’t with you this year? Is it a season of growth or a season of hardship? Do you long for things to be different, for a new season to come, or do you wish for things to stay exactly as they are now? Regardless of the season you are in, you are not alone. Your heart might be breaking, or rejoicing, but either way, don’t let the enemy tell you for one second that you are alone.

 

Helping Hands is entering in a new season of, “Ok, it’s been 10 years, now what?”  We have the best Board of Directors we’ve ever had, we have two employees leaving and new ones coming, we see the impact the economy is having on families, we question the addition of new programs and services… a new season of changes, a new season of “What will the next 10 years hold?” As much as we can try to prepare, just like any season, there will be things that we can’t possibly prepare for. And that’s why I say, “Here’s to another 10, come what may, here’s to another 10.”

 

Would you consider joining us in our new season? Helping Hands set a goal of obtaining 50 new Monthly Donors by the end of the year. So far, we have 27! Becoming a Monthly Donor ensures the future of Helping Hands and allows us to plan for the new season. In doing so, YOU become part of the Helping Hands Community, a Community that brings hope and the love of Jesus to families. No matter the season of life they are in, they too, will not be alone.”

 

Blessings,

Brandy