When Life Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations

How Does Ruth Harbor Help Women Find Acceptance and Hope?

Reading a good book is one of my favorite pass times. I am currently reading WayMaker: Finding the Way to the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of by Ann Voskamp. She is an excellent writer and her books have a poetic rhythm to them that carries you into the story she is telling.

Early in the book, Ann recalls a conversation with her mother-in-law who was born and raised in the Netherlands. She repeated often to Ann “three things.”

There were only three things I was certain about when I was twenty years old: I never wanted to marry a farmer. I never wanted to leave the Netherlands. I never wanted to have a big family.

She stood up, straightened in a patch of lazing sun. Said it slow, so I wouldn’t miss the summary of her life story: “And? I ended up marrying a farmer. I left my home country—my mother, my family—the day after I married. And then I had nine kids—and ended up burying two.”

Ann Voskamp continues,

She was still standing…after nothing turned out the way she had dreamed for the only life she would ever have. What was she trying to tell me? Was this strong Dutch woman in an apron asking for pity? Doubtful. She may have been trying to tell me: Detours are the way dreams and destinies actually come true. The destiny we all ultimately dream of is a destination where we are ultimately seen, safe, soothed, and secure. Even nightmares of loss and tragedy and grief can still become an unexpected awakening to tender dreams, if there are ways—even in the dark places—to be seen and known, safe and secure.

There is a message that resonates strongly with me and with the moms we serve at Ruth Harbor. Their life so far as not met their expectations. They envisioned a life where they would be loved and cared for, and instead they have been left alone and broken in the inside and the outside.

When a young woman comes to Ruth Harbor she only desires “Three things”: shelter, safety, and food, in that order. We are able to offer her more if she will let us. We can offer her grace, love, acceptance, and hope. When a young woman comes to Ruth Harbor she can be seen and known, safe and secure. She can be loved and learn to love.

This is the work of God through all of us. You are a part of this family we call Ruth Harbor that God is weaving together into strands of love to be used for His purposes and for His plans. Your faithful, regular giving allows us the opportunity to open the door when a young woman knocks and simply say, “I see you. You are valued. You are safe. You are loved.”

Praise God.

Until next time,

Chris Eller

Executive Director