This past week we had a small baby shower for one of the youth that attends our Innercity Arts program. Her due date is approaching fast, and nobody was able to throw her one.
One of our priorities for the art program is making sure it’s a safe and welcoming place. We want these youth that come to our doors to feel accepted, loved, and seen. I know for me personally, when people stepped out and did something for me without wanting anything in return, that really helped me to feel that way. That is what led me to Jesus, seeing a love that didn’t make sense.
The weeks leading up to the baby shower, I had so many doubts and insecurities rise up
in me. I had never planned an event before and had no clue where to start. I’ll be honest. I even had thoughts of canceling it, but I pushed through all those thoughts.
The night of the baby shower we had many people show up for this youth. I ran around making sure everything was going smoothly. I was so focused trying to make sure everything was perfect instead of enjoying the moment and celebrating. As I was carrying some dishes, the youth that we were throwing the baby shower for came up to me and told me to put everything down that I was holding and gave me a big bear hug and told me thank you.
This is what it’s all about. The whole night I saw this youth with the biggest smile and tears in her eyes laughing with friends, volunteers, and staff. That is what she will remember. That is what made the night perfect. She had a community of people who love and support her.
Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.''
~Marissa – Youth Program Assistant
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