Thoughts from Lisa Williams to encourage you today.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

Hebrews 13:16

Have your plans ever turned completely upside down in the best way possible? That is exactly what happened to a youth leader I recently talked to.

It started with a simple announcement in the church bulletin: the first fifty students to sign up could attend a Christian concert for $25 each. But two days later, everything changed with one phone call.

“Hi,” said the woman on the other end, “would it be too much trouble if my husband and I paid for all fifty tickets?”

The youth leader’s jaw hit the floor.

“It’s ok. Breathe.” said the woman.

Then, she shared her heart. She and her husband had lost their son in a car accident, but instead of letting the pain define them, they decided to make something good come out of it. They wanted to invest in the faith of teenagers, to give them opportunities to grow in ways her son would have loved. And with that, she wrote a check for $1,250.

Sometimes, love shows up in the most surprising ways—often through people who have walked through unimaginable pain. It leaves me wondering: what could you do today that might spark hope for someone else?

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23

Let me just tell you: when one woman’s family brought her situation to their pastor, no one expected his response.

“This may mean she gets arrested,” he said.

That is not exactly the comforting word you hope to hear, but this turned out to be the moment everything started to change. 

Her family had been in the dark, praying and hoping for some sliver of good news. When the arrest happened, for the first time in forever they knew where to find her. They traveled to the area, checked into a hotel, and on a whim asked the receptionist where to find a good meal.

At the restaurant, a big, bold sign greeted them with a message they desperately needed: “God answers prayers.” 

As her dad spoke with the waitress, a simple question about lawyers led to an amazing series of connections—a lawyer, a minister with a heart for women battling addiction, and the program Teen Challenge that would give her a second chance.  

When the recovery ministry was offered, she wanted to refuse. She believed she deserved punishment not mercy. But when the words came out, they were not “No,” but “Yes.” 

Today, she is miles from where she used to be, living a life filled with purpose as a licensed social worker and a mom. Her family’s prayers were not wasted; they were woven into the tapestry of her redemption.  

So, friend, if you are staring at a hopeless situation, do not let go. Even in your lowest moments, God is offering a fresh start. Sometimes the biggest miracles start with a simple “Yes.”

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