Miracle Moments
Brought to you by: Molly Maid of Birmingham, www.mollymaid.com/birmingham
“So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
Raising children from difficult circumstances and equipping them for generational change is not an endeavor that often provides instant gratification. Perseverance is key. Faith is vital.
Brittany joined the Big Oak Ranch family in 2006 and day in, day out her houseparents emptied themselves so that she would know the fullness of Christ. Every opportunity given to her, ministered to her in ways she didn’t even realize then. Every relationship formed would weave the tapestry of forever family. Brittany’s time with us was shorter than most, and as heavy as our hearts were to see her leave Big Oak, we remained connected. What we plant together, God will bring forth in due time. Brittany’s story testifies to that truth.
“As a former resident of Big Oak Girls’ Ranch my stay was not a very long one, but the values and direction that were given to me are lifelong. I carry on in my children the same Christ-centered teaching that I received at the Ranch. In our home, we have never skirted around the truth nor jumped around the tough questions. We have always allowed our children to speak freely in love and question often to help lead them to the truth. Recently, my oldest child, 7-year-old Zaiden, imaginatively described an asteroid falling from the sky and ending the world. Zaiden has the tendency to take me up on my openness to explore challenging questions. I responded to him with, ‘Well, at least I know where I’m going, because Jesus is in my heart.’ This led to a quick change of tone and deeper conversation when Zaiden asked me, ‘How do I get Jesus in my heart?’ Sound the trumpets and jump for joy! This was such a meaningful moment I had waited for.
I called my sister Melissa, who is also a former resident of the Girls’ Ranch who remained there until she graduated college. Melissa came alongside me to lead Zaiden in the most important decision he will ever make – complete acceptance of the Gospel. That is breaking the cycle. That is a life changed. That is love. Thank you for planting seeds and pouring into children, trusting that God would bring forth fruit. You are making an eternal difference.” – Brittany
To learn more about Big Oak Ranch, visit www.bigoak.org.
-Big Oak Ranch
