by Janet Noe, Maintenance Supervisor, The City Mission
Just like the seasons have changed since God first created the earth, we also go through seasons in our lives. This year marks the 100th anniversary of The City Mission and the seventh anniversary of Laura’s Home.At Laura’s Home we see many women and children blossom into a better life, a deeper faith, and a desire to be all they can be. There is such a feeling of awe, to see how God can take someone who has never known Him or had the help they needed, and show them they are special.
It reminds me of a grapevine I once planted. Early one spring I planted a grape vine in my yard. It grew a little that year, but produced no fruit. When fall season came, then winter, I wondered if it would survive. When the snow came, I saw how God protected that vine with the leaves that had fallen from the trees. The leaves had blown and created a blanket which covered the vine’s base keeping it warm.
It took several years of pruning and care for that vine to produce grapes. Just like that vine, the women, children, and men, who came to The City Mission are blanketed by God’s love. Staff and volunteers care for and provide help to every client, as if pruning and watering. God changes that person’s life and makes them fruitful. He removes the past, like old leaves and brings forth a better life with tools to thrive. God even extends them to reach others.