Last week I had the privilege of meeting with a church for a second conversation about partnership. During our time together, they shared an unbelievable story of a family they have been walking alongside.
A young hard-working husband and wife were eagerly preparing to welcome another child into their family. They had hopes, plans, and dreams for the future, much like any family would. Then came the unexpected news they weren't expecting one baby, but four. While friends and family celebrated the miracle of quadruplets, the realities of providing for and caring for five young children soon became overwhelming. Financial pressures mounted, exhaustion became constant, and the weight of responsibility grew heavier than anyone around them fully realized. Eventually, that burden became too much for the father to carry, and he tragically died by suicide. In an instant, a family that had once been celebrating new life found themselves navigating unimaginable grief. A mother was left to raise five young children alone, and a local church stepped in to walk faithfully beside them.
The church has continued to surround that mom and her children with love, practical support, and the hope of Christ.
As the church leader shared their story, there was a long pause between us. Neither of us rushed to fill the silence. We both felt the weight of the reality that this could happen to any family. None of us are immune to crisis, loss, or seasons where life changes in an instant.
It reminded me why Alongside Families exists.
It's true that every organization has a mission. This one is ours. These are the families we have been called to serve. It's good to remember the people behind every policy, every process, and every decision we make. They are the reason we do this work.
Over the next several weeks, our staff will engage in discussions entitled "From Policy to Practice."
Together, we'll explore what it looks like to move beyond simply knowing our policies and procedures to faithfully living out our mission every day in our decisions, our interactions with families, our relationships with volunteers, and the way we serve one another as a team.