Imagine This...

It is a bright and sunny Friday morning, on a hot day in mid-August. You’ve just recently begun the third grade, at the school located in the city where you are from. Today begins like any other day…..

The alarm sounds at 6 am, you hit snooze, and roll over to catch a few more zzzzz’s. Mom comes in and announces that you’ll be late for school if you don’t get up. You look at the clock and notice that it is now 6:30 and the bus will be arriving shortly. You throw on your school clothes, pour a bowl of your favorite cereal, rushing to eat, not even sure if you are chewing before you swallow, brush your teeth, grab your book bag, and run out the door – just in time(!) to see the bus coming down your street. As the bus stops, and you walk up the steps to your regular seat, you see many familiar faces, and hear the noisy chatter. Once the bus arrives at school after completing its route, you walk to your classroom, put your books in the proper cubby hole, find your regular table, and sit in the same, blue, plastic chair. Time ticks away, and as the teacher explains how to do subtraction and how to find the main verb, your mind eagerly anticipates lunch and recess. It’s finally time for lunch – YEA! Pizza day – it’s your favorite! About an hour later, you get to have free day at recess – another favorite! It’s been a great day! As you play on the swings with your two best friends, you discuss the exciting weekend plans – high school football game tonight, then grandma’s house tomorrow. Your teacher calls for everyone to come back inside, same as always. You make your way back to your classroom, only today, the teacher asks that you visit the office instead of going back to class. You walk to the office, not sure what to expect. As you enter the office, you see a lady you’ve never seen before, smiling, waiting to greet you. She knows your name and has some of your belongings with her. The smile is now gone from her face as she begins telling you that she is a social worker, and that you won’t be going home today. You’ll be staying in a new home, with people you’ve never met. No seeing Mommy and Daddy. No football game tonight. No going to Grandma’s house tomorrow. Suddenly this day, which started out so good, and so normal, has just become a nightmare.

……Unfortunately, what you have just imagined, has actually been a reality for many children. Over 6,000 children are currently in foster care in the state of Alabama, and an estimated 600,000 nationwide. Children of all ages and ethnic groups are in great need of a loving, Christian family to provide a stable environment where they can grow and thrive. YOU can help make a difference in the life of a child by volunteering to be a foster parent, or respite relief. For more information, please contact Traci Newell at Lifeline Children’s Services: Traci.Newell@lifelineadoption.org

“Then the King will say………For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to eat, I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Matthew 25:34-36, 40



Only By His Wounds,

Deanna Crist
Financial and Marketing Assistant