Meet the Unforgettable Lorraine

"It's broke! What am I going to do now! He threw me out onto the street!' Her voice echoed loudly throughout the store. We stopped in our tracks to see what was happening. Every person in the surrounding aisles were also staring. I looked at my husband and said, "Go help her." "Look, the manager already is," he replied in relief.

The store manager had finally made his way toward her. "Can you fix it? That stupid man broke it!" She continued to yell. Her voice defied her appearance. She was frail, gray haired and leaning on her walker...reaching toward a strap that was flapping on the ground. The manager calmly bent down to put it into place only to flinch as she screamed in his ear, "That's not right…it doesn't go like that! What's the matter with you...are you stupid?" We continued to watch as he tried to help her, only to be met with anger and ridicule. 

Everyone went back to their shopping, satisfying their curiosity with the obvious conclusion that she was crazy. But I was transfixed, my heart was being pulled to do something to help her. We got in line to pay. The store manager quickly got on the phone as she yelled to him, "Make sure you get one that takes credit cards so they don't throw me out onto the street again!" She sat down, sharing a bench with an over-sized stuffed bear, leaning her head on it in exhaustion as she waited.

I asked my husband to go give her cash for the cab. He said, "I don't have any." I was trying to get him to meet her need when the Lord had clearly put her on my heart and was prompting me to act. The people in line were laughing at her and said to the manager,"We'll go throw her out of the store for you."

I cautiously made my way to where she sat and quietly asked, "Are you okay?" "NO I'M NOT OKAY!" she screamed. Then continued on loudly…"I'm 88 years old, and was recently released from the hospital. I'm being kept alive by fusions." She then began to scream at the top of her lungs again, "AND THAT IDIOT CAB DRIVER THREW ME OUT BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE CASH! HE BROKE MY WALKER TOO! Her eyes piercing with anger as she stared at me. Gulp. I wanted to pray with her but was afraid. I took a deep breathe and boldly said, "Can I pray for you?" She snapped, "Go ahead, but do it at home. God's forgotten about me, just like my kids and everyone else. My past three husbands all died. I'm alone!"

Just then my husband said, "Can we give you a ride?" Whew…I'm sure he took pity on not only her but me too. She seemed surprised and said yes. She began to angrily yell about the cab driver again. We loaded her into the car while she shouted at my husband the whole time. She gave us directions…screaming at him as we drove, "That's not the right way! There's too much traffic that way! What are you stupid or something?" She continued to repeat the cab story. It was obvious she had Dementia or Alzheimer's.  

He patiently drove and as we approached her home, he prayed for her in the car...out loud...despite her request to pray to ourselves. After we prayed, she changed.  Immediately. She softened. She apologized saying, "I'm sorry, I'm not normally like this. I'm tired and need my medicine." I helped her as she struggled to get out of the car. She wearily said, "God has forgotten about me." 
I stopped, looking directly at her and said, "He hasn't forgotten you Lorraine. He prompted us to step in and help you tonight."

My husband said, "Can we come visit you Lorraine?" Her eyes lit up, "Oh, yes please!" She gave us her number as we walked her to the entrance of the senior citizen apartment complex. We hugged her. As we walked away, she smiled and waved shouting, "Don't forget about me!" 

Hope.

Jesus' love breaking through. An offer to the hopeless, heartbroken, lonely and sick. A simple offer and yet it was huge to her.

Jesus wants to use you every day. He puts opportunities directly in your path and asks you to share the gift that He so freely gave to you. Hope. Faith. Love. Forgiveness. Grace. Mercy. Let your actions shine through the darkness. Spend time in His Word and in Prayer. Allow His love to shine through you. BE AVAILABLE. Share love with those who are hard to love. Jesus in you, the hope of glory. 

 "To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." Colossians 1:27

“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." Luke 6:32

A Breeze Blew In

NOTICE GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU...IT'S ALL AROUND!

I was sitting in church on a hot spring day enjoying the beautiful worship music the band was playing. The words to a song filling me up as I focussed on the truth of each and every verse.

As we were singing, a cool breeze whisked in through the open door, refreshing the entire room from the warmth of the day. It seemed to be perfect timing...reminding me of God's renewing love which He showers upon us each day.

Unfortunately you may be too preoccupied with worry, anxiety and the daily struggles of life to even notice. But the truth is, He is ALWAYS right there, waiting for you to call out to Him in prayer. Waiting for you to notice Him in the beauty of His creations. Waiting for you...to remind you, HOW HE LOVES YOU!   

"HOW HE LOVES,"
By: David Crowder Band 

"He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me
     And oh, how He loves us oh
     Oh how He loves us,
     How He loves us all
     He loves us,
     Oh how He loves us,
     Oh how He loves us,
     Oh how He loves.
We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we're all sinking.
So Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently in side of my chest,
I don't have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way...
     He loves us,
     Oh how He loves us,
     Oh how He loves us,
     Oh how He loves.

"My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways." Proverbs 23:21

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:11

Beyond Embarrassment

story & photo by: lisa petrarca

Driving home from Newport Beach, California, today in a sea of Bentley's, Mercedes Benz, BMW's, Lamborghini's, and Porsche's...a loud, grumbling, rumbling, clanking noise came up along side me. As I turned to see what was causing such a commotion, a rusty spotted, beat up station wagon drove quickly by. It was quite an eye sore and definitely drew attention.

I noticed all the expensive car owners were staring at it in disgust. But the owner didn't seem to notice or mind. It was serving it's purpose, getting him from point A to point B.

I sat waiting for the light to change, thinking about how often we try to blend into our environment and the people around us. We're embarrassed or afraid to stand out or be different. As followers of Christ, that's exactly how we are supposed to be...a light to others, a change from a world filled with stress, hurt and anger.

We can overcome the fear and stand up for what we believe in by showing the unconditional love of Christ through our actions. Reaching out, stepping outside our comfort zone and helping others in need, through prayer, words of encouragement and loving kindness.

We are different because we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift helps us, gives us wisdom, peace and discernment in our time of need. Then we can be used to help others going through similar circumstances.

When you find yourself in a human nature situation...stop, pray and ask the Lord to fill you with HIS peaceful, confident, trustworthy spirit of hope and wisdom. Ask the Lord to use you to be a light in the lives of others. Don't be afraid to stand up and make a difference. We are here to do the Lord's will for our lives (point A) and one day return home to our Heavenly Father to spend time and all eternity in His loving embrace (point B).

Shine His light within you on those around you.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that if yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent It. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."
Isaiah 55:8-13

Child Locked in a Dungeon

Little Annie, was a young hopeless girl, locked in the dungeon of a mental hospital just outside of Boston. This is where they kept all of the patients that were beyond help. Annie acted like an animal, growling & attacking anyone who came near her and other times she would sit staring blankly at the walls.

One day an elderly nurse, who held hope for all of God's children, began to take her lunch in the dungeon. She decided to leave her brownie/cookie for little Annie. When she returned the next day it was gone. The nurse continued to show this small act of love & kindness. After several months, Annie was moved up to the normal ward & eventually, this hopeless girl was told she could leave the institution.

Little Annie was Anne Sullivan, the woman who loved & taught another supposed hopeless case, Helen Keller.


Is there someone in your life who can be changed by a "brownie?" Is there a hopeless cause that needs a simple gesture of love & kindness?

Jesus showed us that unconditional love breaks down all barriers.

Stop judging & start to share the gift of unconditional love with others today. He is the potter & we are the clay!

Isaiah 64:8
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Rare 1880 photo of Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan

The Man Child

by: Lisa Petrarca

The man stumbled toward me, all of his teeth were missing except a few broken, protruding yellow nubs. He smiled and told me he was on his lunch break. He had just started a job at the theatre down the street. He asked for some coffee to help him "sober up," before he went back so that he wouldn't lose his job.

I ran in the house, grabbed a hot cup of coffee, pushed open the door, and to my surprise, heading towards me was a large group of people from church with their arms full of food.

Spotting the man, they invited him to come and eat lunch with us.

Everyone was so warm and friendly. They ate, talked, laughed and included this man in their lives.

Right before my eyes, the man suddenly became a young child. He began to cry, worrying that he would be fired from his job if he was late getting back. Everyone gathered around to hug this small, scared child. Through his sobs, he told us that he needed this job to help feed his family.

Hearing this, I scooped up the young child in my arms & ran, carrying him, running as fast as I could so he wouldn't be late.

As I woke up, I tried to make sense of this dream. It wasn't until later that day when I spotted a homeless man, hidden from immediate sight, lying between two buildings, that it hit me. Our Heavenly Father sees these hurting, broken people as His children. Children who are in need of unconditional love. When one of His children crosses your path, are you reaching out and showing the love of our Savior Jesus Christ?

In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
Isaiah 63:9

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability, entirely on their own.
2 Corinthians 8:2-3

The Crow

story by Lisa Petrarca

While on our evening walk, we noticed a crow perched on the back of a chair, dangerously close to a mans face. We watched, worried that the man, who appeared to be enjoying the crow in such close proximity to him, might be hurt.

Our concern wasn't without merit. At our old house, there were several crows nests in the common area by the pool. These particular crows were very aggressive, actually dive bombing several people & children (including mine). This caused many people to be fearful as they headed to the pool. They frantically looked up, waiting for a re-enactment of the Alfred Hitchcock horror film, "The Birds."

Next, to our astonishment, the man leaned his face close to the black, pointy, razor sharp beak. The Crow leaned slowly toward him and............

gave him a kiss?

Then the bird happily jumped onto the mans shoulder & gave him another kiss. We were shocked!

A pet crow?

Who ever heard of such a thing?

We were on the opposite side of the street and asked some boys who were playing, "Is that his pet?" The boys joyfully replied, "Ya, and he has three more! He fixes their broken wings and stuff and they love him. They play with us sometimes too!"

We were completely amazed!

It appears that even a wild, aggressive, pesky crow, when shown a little love and kindness can in return become a grateful, loving friend and companion.

Is there someone in your life who is broken, difficult to deal with, mean, aggressive, angry and hurting? It may be time to show unconditional love. Pray for patience, understanding and wisdom from the Lord. Ask for His help to soften your heart as well as the difficult persons.

Remember, the enemy cannot battle love. Christ showed us by example how to love others unconditionally. Pray for the nature of Christ and watch Him work miracles in your life and relationships.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:34-35

Jesus cried out, "When a man believes in me, he does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:44-46

"Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:12-17.