Finding a Foothold

   I love going to the beach. The surf, the sand, the smell of salt on the air; all surge through me, restoring my spirit and relaxing my mind. My favorite spot on the beach is just before the breakers, where the water comes up to my knees. From there, I can gaze out to the ocean and watch the waves pour toward the shore in their timeless, relentless patterns. But the sand along that stretch of the beach often shifts underfoot as the tide rolls in and returns. I slowly sink and soon become off-balance. I have to adjust my footing and reset my stance. I can never truly physically rest there, but my view of what lies before me is worth the occasional physical effort.
   At HopeTree Family Services, we seek to provide roughly that same experience for those in our care. We are here to restore souls and minds. From here, we provide a better view of what the future can be. But we are not a place to remain stationary. From here, we not only provide a view of the future, we supply the encouragement and the guidance to actually obtain that future. HopeTree Family Services provides not shifting sand, but a firm foothold beneath the waves rolling in from the ocean of life.

I have hope…

that this year will be full of God’s blessings, if we open our eyes to see.

that we can each make a difference, every one of us.

that beauty and creation will overpower hate and destruction.

that lives can and will be transformed.

that the light will shine in the darkness, and the darkness will not overcome it.

that we can learn to be and live as the people of God and bring about the kingdom of God.

that hope is greater than fear.

that God will give us faith hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.

that love will grow here.

that love will win.

Rev. Jenny Call, M.Div.

Director of Christian Education