Dove Center Women Changed by God’s Word

Quote this with me, Ephesians 4:32, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”. Did you say it? Let’s try it this way, Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” These are the most common versions of this Bible verse. Which did you learn as you were growing up? I was required to memorize the first one which is the King James Version (I bet you could tell because of the old fashioned ye and hath).

Not only was I required to memorize it but my Mother quoted it often in my childhood because of my unkind attitudes and actions with my older siblings on numerous occasions! I did not know at the time that my Mother was laying a foundation of Christian love in me that would encompass decades of my life and remind me often that I must be kind and forgiving (especially to those I really, really, don’t like) because Jesus died for me so that God could forgive my sinful heart!

As with you, I’ll bet you too have had to do more kindnesses and forgiving in your Christian walk than you really want to count. Being Christ-like isn’t the easiest way to live, is it? However, we must strive to do the very things that our sinful nature does not want us to do. We must work to be more like Christ.

So why am I telling you this? Because several of our clients in the Dove Center are learning this very thing! We have three women who are memorizing the second version of Ephesians 4:32. You know, the New King James Version that tells us to be kind and compassionate to each other. Yes, that one. Not only are they memorizing this important bible verse but they are putting it into action! Each day they are giving a daily report of having done one kind deed to or for another client in the Dove Center.

Not only do they know this Bible verse but they are living this Bible verse. They are helping each other out for example by “Helping watch the children for a little while”; “Waited and let the new client walk to daycare with me”; “I gave the new girl some baby clothes”; “I washed the dishes for someone”; “Washed the new client’s clothes and welcomed her”; “I helped pack things for the baby to go to daycare”; and so on.

It’s easy to tell others to love one another and to be kind and compassionate to one another, but until we put our knowledge into action, we will never be the light and salt that God has required of each of his children. If you believe in your heart that Christ died for you and that God raised him from the dead, then you too must take up your cross and follow him and that means being kind one to another.

Do I think the Dove Center clients will understand this and follow it for the rest of their lives? I am praying they do, because if they learn this lesson, then they will be open to more life lessons that God will be teaching them. Joyce Meyer has reminded us that God will make you go ‘round the mountain over and over again until you finally learn what he is trying to teach you. Oh Heavenly Father, I don’t want to keep going around the same mountain over and over! Do any of us?

Special blessings to you all as we as Christ followers strive to set an example for a sinful world.

Please continue to help us as we help women and children of all ages through a critical, pivotal point in their lives. If you would like to help the Dove Center specifically, just designate Dove Center on your gift. We cannot do it without you!

Julie Adair | Director
Renee Barreth | Director of Women & Children Services
Vernice Chappell | Evening Supervisor