In ministry such as this, it is especially valuable to have "happy ending" stories where we can communicate someone's journey (and our role in it) with a sense of clarity and closure. I am often called on to share such stories when I speak. They're valuable for fundraising and recruitment. While it might not be measurable, personal success is an outcome.
Unfortunately, more often than not, people's stories are indefinitely "to be continued." They are squiggly and muddy and open-ended. I don't always know the beginning, the story seems trapped somewhere in the middle, and the end is nowhere in sight.
But it's okay. I have to accept that it's okay. It is what it is.
It's not our job to straighten out the plot. It's our job to come alongside the main characters and try to support them through the chapter they're in.
Peggy and Manda are a mother and adult daughter who have been coming to us off and on for about 2 years now. Peggy is in her mid-50s, and Manda is in her mid-30s. Manda has 3 children, the oldest of whom is in high school and lives with Peggy.
They are both lovely people.
Manda hasn't been in since last year, but I remember her as a pleasant, upbeat person.
While I don't know the beginning of the story, it seems apparent that Manda has made some bad choices, but Peggy has stood by her side.
Peggy is a hard worker. She had been working a fast food job when we saw her last year. We hadn't seen her for many months because she had gotten a better job working in a doctor's office.
A few weeks ago, Peggy came back to see us again. Her daughter's choices are causing financial strain for them both. She shared that Manda and her boyfriend have been involved in drugs. They have both been to jail. They have wrecked several vehicles. She asked for our prayers for Manda to turn things around.
Last Tuesday, Peggy came back. She said that her neighbor is a police officer. He gave Manda the courtesy of telling her that there was an outstanding warrant for her arrest. That morning, Peggy dropped the grandkids off at their schools and then dropped her daughter off at the police station to turn herself in. The kids were understandably upset that mom was going back to jail.
Peggy was frustrated that the first trip to jail did not knock some sense into her daughter. She seemed to want to talk about it and not all at the same time, so we offered her some encouragement and let it go at that.
Wednesday, our intern Sarah and I made a visit to the school where we send backpack food supplements for 11 at-risk kids. The guidance counselor shared with us the story of one of the kindergarten students who told his teacher how thankful he was that they didn't let him go hungry on the weekends.
The counselor cannot share details on these children with me. We were talking in general about these kids, and she shared about the life this little boy was leading and I suddenly realized we were talking about Manda's youngest son. (The other child in her custody is in middle school.) I shared Peggy's story, and while she can neither confirm nor deny this is the same family, it's pretty obvious. We live in the suburbs. Having mom being dropped off at prison is not an everyday occurrence for most of these kids.
I learned that Manda, her boyfriend, and the boys have been living in a hotel room all school year. The school is hoping they don't move out of area so this little boy can stay with them next year so they can continue to look out for him.
On Sunday, a friend of mine at church approached me. She is this little boy's kindergarten teacher. She wanted to share how valuable our support has been for him. She says he doesn't like to leave school because he is so happy there and he always knows he will eat.
So where does our story end? Manda's in jail. I'm not sure if the boys are with Peggy or the boyfriend or some combination. School will be out soon. It's not looking hopeful at the moment.
To Be Continued.
We will continue to walk with Peggy, and pray with her that the next chapter is a better one.
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