Tough Times

This last week and a half or so has been pretty difficult. Myself personally, and our staff as a whole have hit some pretty tough times. Some of you have heard me mention the "2 month mark." This mark is where I feel around every 2 months or so, I need a break; for restoration and quite honestly to just get away. It's as if once that 2 month mark comes around things become so heavy and so intense, I need to take a step back. And wouldn't you know, it's been about 2 months since I took my last break and went home. Thankfully, I am headed to Arizona on Saturday for my best friend's wedding. I am spending a week there and expect many good times, some tears, and tons of laughing that brings you to the floor!

I know some of you are wanting an update on Layla. Unfortunately, after a week of being at the hospital undergoing rehab Layla is back on the streets. We went to visit her every other day, and our visits were always so good. We would play cards, we would talk, we would watch tv, we would pray. I was very honest with Layla and the steps she needed to take in order to get long term help. The problem was that Layla did not want that help. She would say respectively, "Steph, I understand what you are saying and I really do listen to you, I do, but I don't want to go through with that." The first time I saw her out on the street again, she was on the corner. As you could imagine, this shattered my heart. What do I do now Lord? "Love her. Love her as I love her."

Some of the people we really pour into here have taken big steps backwards this past week. This obviously brings much burden to our hearts. As my friends and I were doing street time yesterday we talked about how hard it is to take a step back, and let God be God. When the Lord has placed a specific burden on your heart for specific people, it is natural to want to reach out and meet needs they have. I think what a couple of us here are learning is that God wants us to fight the battle first and foremost through prayer.

Though difficult weeks have come and gone our Savior still reigns. He is our King of Kings, our Lord of Lords. He is my Provider. My Shelter. My Protector. My Healer. My Redeemer. My Everything. My Encourager. HE IS VICTORIOUS! Amen.

Love Deeply.