What Does Grace Look Like?

By Traci Bolden

      Center Director - Stuart

Grace is not an easy concept to wrap your mind around.  You can look up grace in the dictionary and you will find words like divine assistance, unmerited favor, or virtue from God.

When we talk about grace and we struggle to define it, we are left to wonder, do we really understand what it is.  Do we even recognize it?   In order to understand what grace is, you need more than a definition.  It requires an experience.

One of the best ways to convey grace is through a story – your story.  There is something that is captured through telling about an experience you have had or what God has done in your life rather than simply just giving an explanation.

Grace is the heart of our relationship with God.  It says that no matter who you are or what you have done, grace can still be part of your story.

Everything that God does through you, he does by grace.  God knew every dirty deed you would ever commit, yet he still chose to create you.  We believe that God is the author of life, but do we live like He is our gracious creator.   When you look at scripture, the concept of God’s grace is woven throughout the pages of both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  He taught us about grace through stories, stories that are still just as relevant to our lives today.  We hear stories of the nameless woman at the well where God’s grace was poured out.  She was a woman who desired to be wanted, to be cared for when no one, not even herself, could see anything of value in her.  Her story is uncomfortable to describe, but it is the epitome of God’s grace and forgiveness.  We also see grace in the story of David, who is the ultimate example of God’s “unmerited favor”.  David lusted, stole, committed adultery, lied, and even killed, and yet, God saw his heart and loved him.

Grace is what rewrites our story.  It is not having to wait to get your life “cleaned up” or “back on track.”  It embraces you in your mess.  Romans 5:20 tells us that “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”  Our stories allow grace to spread.

Grace is also seeing people through the eyes of Jesus.  It is not always easy to give grace, especially when it is seemingly undeserved, but when you replace what has happened to you with what God has done for you, you find you have more grace to give.

Grace is what is required for you to live free.  Ephesians 1: 7-8 tells us that “it is the blood of Jesus that gives us grace (sets us free).”  It is not something earned or deserved.  It is the price He paid for us.  Grace is when God gives you what you need, not what you deserve. 

 

What does grace look like in your life?  How has God shown you favor when you did not deserve it?  We do not have to look very far to be able to tell that story.

When you look in the mirror…you are looking back at the very definition of grace.  Your story is where grace is defined.  Allowing God to rewrite your story… that is what grace looks like.

The People of Who-ville Won Today!

By Sue Chess
      Executive Director

June 27, 2018 - Our social medias, emails, and newsfeeds have blown up this morning with the incredible, joyful, and awesome news that life and liberty won today!  To more clearly show you why it was such big news, let me explain.

We live in a “world within a world” here at Care Net. We are a little like Who-ville in “Horton Hears a Who.”  We walk alongside our clients facing crisis after crisis as they face the struggles of meeting the needs of their families.  We are there for them and they know it.  In fact, they tell their friends about us, which is one of the main ways we fill our appointment slots. 

We walk on the “client” side with them but all the while the “admin” lives an alternate reality, a  Who-ville existence where many would rather we’d stay hidden or go away and others would like to destroy completely.   For our clients we work carefully to be medically accurate, to keep our professional processes full of integrity, to run a business that is both legal, honest, and true, and to pay our bills without ever expecting a client to help.  We don’t just do this because it is best practices but also because there is a hostile culture of death which is driven by abortion money trying always to bring us down. Just like the people in Who-ville had enemies in the jungle, so do we.

The admin inner world is not understood by many.  Here we are in a battle.  We work closely with organizations and are deeply grateful to them for arming, preparing, and supporting us.  Good folks like Care Net National https://www.care-net.org/, National Institute of Family and Life Advocates or NIFLA https://nifla.org/ , Heartbeat International https://www.heartbeatinternational.org/  and Alliance Defending Freedom https://www.adflegal.org/.  They give us guidance in what we can and cannot do legally as we walk a tightrope in service to families facing unplanned pregnancies and students involved in risky behavior.  It is a true saying that we care about the whole family.  We are 100% prolife because we know it to be right not just a right.  Abortion hurts women and destroys children.  It is not just that God is pro-life, although that would be enough.  It is also that the ramifications upon humanity go so much further than what a dishonest society shows.   We see that truth every day.

 

With that background of our world you may better understand just how much a certain SCOTUS case ruling on June 26, 2018 on NIFLA v. Becerra affects the ongoing existence of every pregnancy resource center such as Care Net. 

Here is the case summary from NIFLA:

In 2015 California passed AB 775, the so-called "Reproductive FACT Act.” This law mandates that medical pro-life pregnancy centers provide written or digital information to their patients - such as a sign in the waiting room - on how to obtain a state-funded abortion. This means that nonprofit pro-life medical clinics as well as their staff and volunteers are being forced to violate their consciences - an outright violation of their First Amendment rights.

In defense of the 135 California pregnancy centers that it represents, NIFLA filed a lawsuit challenging this legislation. Arguments for this landmark pro-life free speech case were heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on March 20, 2018.

We realize that this law would so infringe and violate our beliefs that if it continued without check, the enemies of the sanctity of human life would see that it swept across the land. Women facing an unplanned pregnancy would no longer have a safe place to explore all options.  Simply stated it was huge!

Today the Supreme Court ruled!  Here was NIFLA’s announcement:

NIFLA has been fighting the good fight in courts and today we are grateful to say that free speech lives! 

In a 5-4 decision, the justices have rightly supported the freedom of speech of over 100 pro-life pregnancy centers and medical clinics in California.

“Today’s decision is a tremendous win not only for free speech but for human life,” said Jor-El Godsey, president of Heartbeat International.  Thanks to today’s ruling, California’s 200 plus pregnancy centers can continue to serve women and children, unburdened by the unconscionable demands of the abortion lobby.  This is an unquestionably major triumph for U.S. pregnancy centers working to save families from the sting of abortion.”

Today’s ruling is the latest—and most significant—court victory for pro-life pregnancy centers which have been the target of similarly onerous free speech restrictions in New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Texas, Hawaii, and Illinois.

Today the little people of Who-ville won in more ways than one.

Life and Death

By Pam Durham
      C.A.R.E. Director

The first definition of life according to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary is: 

a : the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body.
b : a principle or force that is considered to underlie the distinctive quality of animate beings.
c : an organismic state characterized by capacity for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction.

The definition of death is:

a : a permanent cessation of all vital functions : the end of life.

b : an instance of dying.

This past week was an eventful one of both life and death for me.  My daughter was due with her third child on June 14^th, but due to some complications she was induced on May 22^nd.  I am now the proud grandmother of 6 grandchildren - five granddaughters and one grandson.  What a joy they all are.  They range in age from 12 to brand new!  The life they represent is far more than that listed in the definitions above.  They are the result of the life of Christ who brings us true life.  I am the proud mother (and mother-in-law) of their parents.  Because of choices I made over 40 years ago, I have children who are bringing up their children in the admonition of the Lord.  It is such a delight to see all they are learning about Jesus and who He is; to watch their character be shaped by their loving parents. What a blessing! 

But, in comes death.  I received a call from my Dad the day after my new granddaughter’s birth to tell me that my uncle had passed away.  Three days earlier he had had a massive heart attack.  Although they had him on life support, there was no sign of life.  They removed the life support May 23^rd.  In the midst of my rejoicing, I now am also grieving.  Being only eight years my senior, my uncle was more like a brother to me since I had spent most of my early childhood living with my grandparents and Mom.  He would have done anything for me, and he named his only child after me.  He smoked heavily and also drank consistently, but when we went to a restaurant, he would go to the non-smoking sections…just for me. 

But sadly, to my knowledge, he is also spiritually dead.  There was a point in his life also 40 years ago where he said he wanted nothing to do with God.  As far as I know, that never changed.  I have the blessed hope of seeing all my children and grandchildren in Heaven some day.  I also will see my Mom and my in-laws there as well.

I am reminded that there is so much more to life than just living here on earth.  Or as some say, just surviving.  Today, more than most, I know how truly blessed I am to have chosen eternal life for myself those many years ago.  My husband and I have chosen to leave an eternal legacy for our children.

What are you choosing?  Life – abundant life…or death – eternal separation from God?

Memorial Day

By Rayma Zugel
     Lead Center Director

We are coming up on Memorial Day. A day set aside to honor all those that died while serving our country, or have died since. But what is the history behind Memorial Day?

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day, from the early tradition of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers. In 1873, New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day as a legal holiday. By the late 1800’s, many more cities and communities observed Memorial Day, and several states had declared it a legal holiday. After World War I, it became an occasion for honoring those who died in all American wars and then was more widely established as a National holiday.

In 1971, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act and established that Memorial Day was to be celebrated on the last Monday of May. Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington Cemetery each year with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave.

It is important for Americans to take time to remember the sacrifices that bought their freedom. As of May 1, 2018, 624,031 Americans have died in all the wars that the United States has taken a part in, including Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve that continue on in our war against terrorists.

For anyone that knows me, they know I have a special place in my heart for all Armed Services since my husband is a Vietnam Veteran. And I will never take away from the honor that is due to those that willing gave their life, or were willing to do so by going to war, to fight for the freedoms we enjoy today. But I also want us to remember the 45,151,389 lives that were taken by abortion (2014 statistics given by Guttmacher Institute). These lives will never get a chance to celebrate Memorial Day. These lives will never get the chance to experience the freedoms we have.

So this year for Memorial Day, remember those that fought for you and I, but also remember those little lives lost before their time. ❤

What's It Worth?

By Sue Chess
      Executive Director

Janet came into my office with a big happy grin and said happily “that was fun!”  She had just been with a client, so suspecting a great story I said, “Tell me more!”  Janet went on, “My client just told me her time with us is the highlight of her week.”  When I asked her to explain, Janet said that the client described losing her home during Hurricane Irma because the apartment building where she lived was destroyed by floodwater.  All of her things were gone and then she found Care Net.  The connections she needed were reestablished and she began taking parenting classes to rebuild her baby supplies.  Over time she has developed a close mentoring relationship with her volunteer as she has come in each week. This was what she meant by highlight.  But, it was not JUST the much needed stuff, but also the love and acceptance she’s found in “this place.”   Janet and I both had tears in our eyes as we reflected on our grateful client’s gift to us today.  This kind of feedback makes it all worth it.  Knowing the investment of time is not only saving lives but rescuing lives in so many other ways as well.

As we’ve just come through Volunteer Appreciation month, it has been pure joy to focus on the amazing people God has filled our Stuart and Port St. Lucie Centers with.  Trying to describe the hearts of love in our Centers leaves all of us a bit speechless—they really ARE that good!  So, when we came across an article describing the “Value of Volunteers in 2017” of course I read it! 

Did you know that there is a way to put a value on their work?  Until reading this article, we’d been measuring their worth way too low!  According to nonprofit leadership network Independent Sector, the estimated value of an hour of volunteer work rose to $24.69 per hour in 2017. 

Imagine hiring someone to teach, sort donated baby items, lead classes, peer counsel, enter data, solicit donations, provide ultrasounds, schedule medical staff, provide STI testing, and process a bulk-mail.  Now imagine paying them $24.69 per hour/per person for all of these services on a budget that’s already stretched thin! 

Our volunteers sign in and out when they come to Care Net.  This keeps our insurance company happy, but it also gives us how many hours have been donated.  We tracked 4900 hours in our two Centers in 2017.  At $24.69/hour it would have cost us an incredible $120,941.00 just last year to pay our Volunteers.

 

Janet’s story at the beginning measured the “eternal metric” of what the investment into our client’s lives accomplishes.  The Independent Sector has measured the “earthly metric.”  Either way, we’ve managed to show you just how deeply in debt we are to the wonderful men and women who do so much here at Care Net.

The next time someone tells you they volunteer, tell them “thank you,” would you?  They really are “a work of heart!” 

Bloom Where You Are Planted

By Traci Bolden
      Center Director - Stuart

I always look forward to flying, especially when flying alone, because it gives me the opportunity to meet different and interesting people.  You never know who you might encounter.  Sometimes it is hard to begin a conversation with the person sitting beside you, especially when their body language clearly is saying, “Don’t talk to me.”  So breaking down those walls can be a challenge.  If you are like me, typically quiet and reserved, it can be an intimidating obstacle to overcome.  I personally do not believe in coincidences, so trusting that God has purposefully placed that person in the seat right next to me makes it easier.

Each client that comes into Care Net is truly unique.  Yes, their stories may be similar, but they come from all walks of life.  We meet them with open arms.  Sometimes there are walls up that seem impossible to penetrate and attitudes that walked in by themselves, but it is our goal to be able to begin to tear down some of those walls so we can earn permission to speak truth into their lives.  We do not force our faith on anyone, but instead we offer words of encouragement and prayer.  In 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about “the fragrance of Christ.”  We can have that same fragrance wherever we go, as we quietly manifest Jesus’ love.

Here at Care Net, we wholeheartedly believe that each client who is seeking our services, although they may not know it, is a divine appointment.  God creates the opportunity for us to meet their physical and/or emotional needs, but more importantly their spiritual needs as well.  That one encounter may be the only opportunity we get to share the Gospel and we do not take that lightly.  The neat thing about sharing the Gospel is we don’t have to worry about the outcome.  Whether those we introduce to Christ accept Him or reject Him is not up to us, but obedience in sharing is.  There are times we just plant seeds that are watered elsewhere, but oh what a blessing it is to be able to participate.  Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

When we share with our clients what Jesus did for them and the life he wants to offer them, it can change their perspective.  We don’t have to be afraid because we share with confidence knowing that Christ has already gone before us.

So don’t be discouraged.  Never give up.  Bloom where you are planted.  What you do has eternal significance in God’s eyes.

...All Because of a Baby Bottle

By Nanette Maldonado

    Community Liaison

Give the GIFT of LIFE by filling Baby Bottles!

How can a baby bottle filled with loose change bring life into a situation and create a heart change all at the same time?  Last year, I received a hand written letter attached to one of the bottles returned that shared a precious memory I hold dear to my heart.  A memory from a grandmother’s time spent with her grandchildren gathered around the dinner table one evening that changed the face of that family’s future!

 

Here’s what happened…

This grandmother decided to take part in the Baby Bottle Boomerang.  The grandmother placed a baby bottle at the center of the table before eating, and as she served her family one person at a time, questions about the baby bottle began.  Meaningful conversations took place and a change in their hearts occurred.  Inspiration and faith were birthed out of God’s truth for his created miracle in the womb.  Not only did her grandchildren feel more important and loved by God, but they also felt more love for LIFE!  Those precious conversations and the prayer that ended their time meant far more than they could ever have anticipated.

 

This is what that teachable time did for that family…

It demonstrated the power of love in Jesus Christ and it instilled identity of LIFE in them.  It also promoted action from the insight that they had gained.  Their hearts were moved to exchange their faulty opinions for life giving donations.  A powerful exchange!  I’m sure glad that the pro-family message was shared around that table, and that the youngest generation of that family will take a stand for LIFE in the future…all because of a baby bottle centered on the dinner table.

Have you ever participated in the Baby Bottle Boomerang Fundraiser?  It’s really one of the most effective fundraisers in Pro-Life ministries today.  It always amazes me how a baby bottle filled with loose change can bring so much HOPE to our clients and to our Centers!  This fundraiser is a win and here’s why:

• It increases the important message of love and hope for abundant life in our communities.
• It elevates the awareness level in our communities about the numerous ways a center like ours helps, by providing free and confidential counseling, free pregnancy services, resources, and so much MORE!
• It raises funds!
• It gives all ages an opportunity to participate!

 Here is how you can get involved…

Contact us for detailed information about the Baby Bottle Boomerang at 772-828-3168 or, if you attend a church on the Treasure Coast, ask your church leaders or your Care Net Liaison how you can get involved and help!

Our Baby Bottle Boomerang begins on Mother’s Day
with the distribution of bottles and ends with the return of the filled bottles on Father’s Day!!!

Thanks for getting involved and thanks for giving!