Jesus Cares
by Martha Walden

Downtown at the foot of Poplar
A sign reads “Jesus Cares”
Somewhere in the din and confusion
I know that God is there

In the quiet of the chapel,
He speaks to me thru the throng
Of people at the corner
And those who have come and gone.

He looks at me from the faces
Of those who are hurt and old;
Those who stop only briefly
And those who have joined the fold.

Our Shepherd waits at the corner
And silently guards the door.
He beckons to those who are hungry,
He reaches out to the poor.

And somewhere a heart is singing
A face now has a smile.
And God rejoices in silence
That someone cared a while.

Children Learn what they Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to find love in the world.

We can make a difference...

“When I came to the Macon Rescue Mission, I was nine months pregnant, with my baby due any day and three other children ages 10, 8, and 2. I was placed on maternity leave at the place I worked thus cutting off the only income our family had. With no money and no place to go, we turned to the Department of Family and Children Services. Their suggestion was to put the three children in foster care and possibly place me at the Mission until after the baby was born.

The Mission agreed to take not only me but the three children as well, enabling us to stay together as a family.

While staying at the Mission, they have given us much more. Through telling us of the Lord They have given us all the hope for a brighter future. I and my two oldest children have been saved and continue to grow in God’s love every day. This element has been missing from our family and, since the Lord has become a part of our lives, we know we'll make it.

The Mission has meant the difference in joy and depression, faith and hopelessness, and love and despair to us.

We will survive because they cared.”

— Bridgett R