I had the privilege of attending an incredible event last week: the Gateway Program's Partners Appreciation Breakfast. The Gateway Program is a supportive housing program at Village Oaks for people coming out of homelessness. All of the Gateway residents are living in their own apartment for the first time in at least several years.
I walked in just after 9am, having been invited to receive something on behalf of Behind Every Door. Many of the Gateway Residents who live at Village Oaks were there and they were joined in their seats by some of the partners being recognized. The program started with a change to the agenda: the entertainment was running late so we would start with recognizing the partners. No big deal, I thought.
After the partners were recognized, the Gateway staff asked the residents if they had anything to share.
"I am grateful." "I appreciate everything you have done." "I feel safe now." "I am truly blessed by God." "I have a family again."
For 20 minutes, one-by-one, people stood up to share things like these.
After the residents shared, there was a spirit of thanksgiving in the room. It was welling up inside each of us, and there was a sense that it needed to come out. Now it was clear that the entertainment had arrived right on time.
From the back of the room walked a group of men called the Men of Nehemiah. These are men who have lost almost everything they ever had - jobs, money, houses, cars, families, friends - as a result of an addiction. Many of them have been homeless. Now, they walk in the victory of Jesus, free from the pain that once stole their joy. But, their Joy is no longer stolen, and here they were to praise God.
Their late arrival had allowed us to express what we were all feeling: thankfulness. Thankfulness for provision. Thankfulness for freedom. Thankfulness to God for never giving up on us. Thankfulness for the work that God is doing in our lives. The Men of Nehemiah sang loud and their choir grew quickly. We were all singing now, thanking Jesus for loving us so well. We were thanking Him because He is good.
-- Will Dowell
