I met Lila four years ago. She is bold and stubborn and has had to operate in “survival” mode for as long as I have known her. 

Mom on drugs, dad in prison, nine brothers and sisters. A pimp took advantage of her vulnerability. She has been in and out of “the life” for the past four years. Because there are so few constant, caring people in her life, she’s taken to calling me Mom. 

Every few months I would get a one word text …”mom.” My reply, “Lila?”

Then we would catch up a bit, maybe have lunch, and always say I love you. This has been our pattern for the past four years. Recently she married and is now having a baby and reaches out more now, asking to go to church and join a Bible study. My heart is so happy she’s in a better place. 

One morning she sent me a text that made me teary: 

“I’m going to pray for you, mom. You’re not yourself. You’re beautiful and kind. You’re strong and caring, loving and my angel! You blessed me since I met you Dec 23, 2014 and accepted Christ on Christmas Eve and I never forgot you since then. You are a woman of God and a great woman of God! You’re always helping and I’m thankful for that.” 

She had sensed I had been sad for a few weeks. Her response had me choked up, but her words warmed my heart and encouraged me so much!

We plan and pray and work to encourage and show the love of Christ to the youth we work with, but sometimes they are an encouragement right back to us.