Let me tell you a story, a true story, though the name has been changed.
Bev was trapped in a cycle of isolation, her life marked by loneliness and invisible scars left by those who should have cared for her. In her mid-fifties, with few friends and no reason to leave the house, her world had shrunk to the size of her four walls, weighed down by the heavy burden of rejection.
Then, everything changed. A neighbor reached out, pulling her out of the shadows and bringing her to Lighthouse. Here, in this place alive with raw humanity and the love of Jesus, a miracle happened. Compassion cut through the pain, hope found its voice, and a fierce, unwavering love wrapped itself around Bev, who had known only abandonment.
Now, Bev stands at the front of the room, her voice trembling but filled with strength, her eyes brimming with tears. "I've got a family here," she says, and the sincerity in her words is palpable. "Thank you for loving me." The truth is, without Bev, Lighthouse would be incomplete—a puzzle missing a crucial piece.
Bev’s journey isn’t about chasing big dreams; it’s about reclaiming the simple joys that most people take for granted. Her first major milestone came on a Sunday when we surprised her with a birthday cake. It was the first time in her life that someone had celebrated her. The smile that lit up her face wasn’t just happiness—it was the unmistakable sign of love working its magic, proof that in the presence of love, transformation is inevitable.
The second milestone was her baptism. After a lifetime of feeling unworthy, Bev took a leap of faith and chose to be baptized, publicly declaring her newfound hope and belonging. As the water poured over her, it wasn’t just a ritual—it was a cleansing of her past and a step into a new life. The tears she shed that day were a mix of release, relief, and the overwhelming joy of knowing afresh she was loved.
The third milestone was even more profound. We took a trip to the seaside, and for Bev, it was like stepping into another world. She had never seen the ocean, never felt the cool rush of waves against her feet. But when she arrived, she ran—straight to the water, without a moment’s hesitation, as if she were reclaiming a part of herself that had been lost. She couldn’t swim, but that didn’t matter. She splashed in the waves with the pure, unfiltered joy of someone discovering the world anew. It was one of those raw, electric moments where life feels both painfully real and breathtakingly beautiful—a thin space, a moment where the gritty reality of the world collides with something divine.
Bev’s story is a testament to the power of connection and the profound impact that love and community can have on a life. At Lighthouse, Bev found more than just a place to belong—she found a new beginning, proof that it’s never too late to reclaim the joy and love that every person deserves. Her journey from isolation to inclusion is a living example of what Jesus spoke of when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). When we embrace those who have been forgotten, we don’t just change their lives—we transform our own.
- Swales, 2024
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