Notes from our Executive Director

After Community Meal this past Tuesday, a teenager who was at dinner for the first time walked up to me and asked if she could pray for me. It was my first Tuesday night back in a month since my husband, Matt, was killed in a car accident on his way to work. 

Community Meal runs the same way each week. Volunteers serve the meal first, and after about 15 minutes, I make announcements and pray. During the announcements, I shared my gratitude for all the prayers and condolences I had received from those at the meal. So, when this young teenager asked if she could pray with me, I said, “Absolutely.” When we finished praying, her grandparents and brother were standing in front of me as well. The grandmother was crying as she shared that her daughter, the children’s mom, had recently passed away too. They had come to Lubbock Impact for the first time that Tuesday morning for clothes and had been invited to dinner. I had the opportunity to love on them, share about the “Grief Share” class starting in a couple of weeks, and tell them about our children’s programs. 

It was not by coincidence that the Lord led this family to Lubbock Impact. My hope is that it will be an opportunity for all of us to heal together. The prayer of a grieving teenager who was willing to stop and pray for me in the middle of her own grief was a powerful reminder that our strength and hope are in the Lord. If she can keep moving forward, I can, too.  

On July 12th, as I was writing last month’s newsletter at 9:00 p.m., I had no idea that the Lord had called my husband home just hours before. Because of the nature of the accident, I wouldn’t find out that he was gone until late the next day. Here I am, on the other side of one of the most life-changing experiences of my life: unexpected tragedy. 

Over the last month, I have seen our Lubbock Impact family wrap around me in ways I didn’t even know I needed. The strength of the prayers and the work of the Holy Spirit have been overwhelming and are what continue to get me through each day. What has been incredible to hear and watch is how our staff, board, volunteers, donors, and participants have come together to make sure the ministry of Lubbock Impact doesn’t stop. 

Our staff has felt the weight of this sorrow, too, yet they have stepped in to make sure the needs of those we serve continue to be met. So many have called and stopped by to make sure everything is okay. And here is the important part to know: the Lubbock Impact family has developed a culture of stepping in to rally for one another, so this doesn’t surprise me. I am only one part of the Body of Christ. When one part hurts, I understand that we all hurt, but the rest of the Body compensates until we are all back to full capacity. And for that, I am incredibly grateful. 

Matt loved the people of Lubbock Impact. Whether he was dropping off drinks for the staff, picking up donations, or stopping in to visit with participants, he believed in the ministry and the work being done in our community. His encouragement, support, and understanding of the late hours and commitment it takes to serve at Lubbock Impact are what allowed me to be all in. He loved telling people about Lubbock Impact, and when he met someone with a need, he was quick to tell them, “Go see my wife at Lubbock Impact. She will help.” 

At his celebration of a life well lived, we shared Micah 6:8 from The Message because it is the way Matt lived: “But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.” 

If you are interested in learning more about Matt, click here. 

Thank you for allowing me to share a little about my journey and for continuing to believe in and support the ministry of Lubbock Impact. I am excited about the next several months of programs and projects that will continue to bring hope, empowerment, and healing to those God has called us to serve during their times of need. Please pray for the family I met on Tuesday. Pray that we would wrap around them during their time of grief and this new journey, just as many of you have wrapped around me. 

And thank you for reminding me that we never have to walk through life alone.