Life is BUSY! I often hear the phrase, “I am busy as a bee!” at New Beginnings. Staff busily prepares for an upcoming devotion, the next group event, or activities for our moms; sometimes we do all of these things at once! New Beginnings is filled with multi-taskers; our residents, too, have a busy schedule. Our mothers work hard to establish a routine in the program, make the study of God’s Word a priority every day, and care for their child. Although the hustle and bustle feels arduous at times, we need to remember that God invites us to come to him when we are tired and weak: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29 Isn’t it encouraging to know that when we are fatigued physically and mentally, God never tires and gives us strength when we need it? I remember being “released from the nest” when I left for college. My life felt so busy, and sometimes I found it difficult to stay on track. Mom and Dad were no longer around to remind me to schedule my dentist appointment or insist that I study for my Statistics exam. In my early college years, I found difficulty in maintaining structure to facilitate my own personal progress, but I looked to God for guidance and called on him for help when I was exhausted from life’s fast-moving pace. I constantly reminded myself in Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” New Beginnings provides a unique opportunity to instruct generationally-poor individuals of the value of routine, as planning ahead and staying on track prove vital in achieving self-sufficiency. Our program takes this opportunity one step further by providing spiritual guidance along the way. At first, the structure of the New Beginnings’ program often seems difficult for our residents; after all, many of our moms have never experienced set schedules, the requirement to arrive on time, or even the concept of accountability. Over time, however, the moms begin to appreciate the value of routines and apply structure to their own lives independently. In addition, our mothers begin to turn to God in times of exhaustion and difficulty; after all, God reminds us that we can do all this through him who gives us strength (Philippians 4:13).
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The mood at New Beginnings has been changing as we await the arrival of two babies into the home. We imagine what our group dinners and devotions will be like with a total of four babies instead of two, and how much longer it will take to get ready in the morning for church. We sit in almost dead silence trying to hear the cries and laughter of a full house of babies. Yet in all of these things we see God's guiding hand in everything we do. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV This passage gives so much comfort to not only our residents as they prepare for a whole new life being a mother, but also for staff members as we prepare in our own way. Each time a baby is born or brought into the New Beginnings Family, we are able to provide the baby and mother with virtually everything they would need, thanks to the very generous amount and variety of donations we have received. With the pack n play's all set up, the diapers, wipes and newborn cloths in order, the only thing left for any of us to do is pray. Pray that within these last few days of pregnancy, these young women are able to find peace and serenity from God. We pray that when the time comes for these precious children to be born that God guides the labor and delivery. We pray that the new mothers make a fast recovery and put all their trust in their Savoir to help raise their little children. And most of all, we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide these new mothers to bring their children into the family of God through baptism. Even though the mood will be changing as drastically as our seasons, we look forward to the new seasons in these women's lives and gaining two precious New Beginnings Family members.
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