April 2024 Newsletter

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A Solid Foundation

Alecia was feeling weary and burdened by the yoke of the world upon her that evening in chapel at Samaritan Inn. A yoke is a wooden frame fitted around the necks of a pair of oxen for harnessing them together, so they can be controlled to do strenuous work. The chapel message was based on the Scripture from Matthew 11:28-30, a call to go to the Lord for genuine rest: “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

The yoke is made for a pair, Jesus and each of us, so we can have a Friend to guide and refresh us. Alecia said, “That hit my heart. I realized I wasn’t alone. I was feeling overwhelmed by shame for all the things that have happened.” Silently in chapel, she repeated the speaker’s prayer to accept the Lord. She said, “Since then, I have been more motivated, had more energy, and am devoted to being on track in my life.”

Because of addiction, Alecia had been carrying the weight of losing custody of her daughter Ember (now 13 months old). When Child Protective Services took custody of Ember, Alecia rebelled, relapsed, became homeless, slept in random outdoor places for a couple of weeks. When she came to her senses (like the Prodigal son), she went to our Samaritan Inn for help.

She needed to learn that it’s not rules and regulations that make life harder, rebellion actually makes life more complicated because of consequences. She admitted, “I needed the accountability and structure, the basic rules, something to come home to. I have grown spiritually and am a new believer.” CPS developed a personal plan for her. She had to take the responsibility to complete a program of classes for addiction treatment, parenting, and anger management. She had to be sober for a set time period. After four months of just day visits with her daughter at the Department of Human Services, she was able to have Monday and Thursday overnight visits at Samaritan Inn.

Three weeks later, mother and daughter were together full-time. Alecia said, “If I weren’t at Samaritan Inn, I wouldn’t have my baby right now.” They still have to remain at Samaritan Inn as their Safety Service Provider. Any move out destination has to be approved by authorities. She said, “I’m grateful and humbled. I was wrong. What I was doing wasn’t working. Now, I am going to church. Others can have success, if they have a solid foundation.”