To Haven of Hope Girls

Each of you are writing a story, it is the story of your life. Now, you can decide what will be on the pages or chapters you write tomorrow. But when each chapter is complete you can’t edit out the parts that didn’t work, or that brought adverse consequences. Those pages are written with no way to undo them.

In the Garden of Eden the serpent spoke to Eve to influence her to eat the forbidden fruit. If the serpent had commanded her to eat the fruit she would have likely replied as you would today, “Who died and made you boss?” But he made a suggestion to sway her. The message he got across to her was, “Don’t let someone else control your life” or “Do what makes you happy.” It worked on Eve just as it has with each of us many times.

Often the choices we have made whether good or bad have been made to make another happy. But the choices that make up the story of your life are too important to be made for someone else’s approval. Each choice should be considered as if it is the difference between life and death, which it possibly could be. When that page can be written without compromising your conscience, and with the confidence that it is the right thing to do, it will bring courage and strength for the next choice you must make.

*I quote from Neil Eskelin in “What To Do when you don’t know What To Do”.

Since our feelings and passions are so dominant and commanding it is vital that our commitments are based on truth and strong values.

William Bennet, in his ‘Book of Virtues”, says, “The vast majority of Americans share a respect for certain fundamental traits of character: honesty, compassion, courage, and perseverance.” These are virtues that should be the bedrock on which all change is based.

A person may be endowed with attractive physical characteristics, have a delightful personality, and dress with style and flair. But such things are only the wrapping on the package. What is on the inside? What about your basic character?

Neil has told us that you being beautiful, your great personality, and fine clothes are not the treasure that you possess, the treasure lies within.


Your talent, personality, and charisma may be used to impress the rock music world, you may succeed and build wealth, and fame. But, happiness isn’t found there and the fun only lasts for a short time and generally it brings loneliness in spite of the crowds and fans. On the other hand you can use these gifts, and the testimony of what God has done in you to influence your peers and help them find true joy.

You may use your intelligence and become renowned for some impressive discovery and still be miserable. Or you can allow your desire to please others to lead you down a path of immense heartache. Then again, you can use both gifts I’ve mentioned, while following God’s direction and not only be happy yourself, but take happiness to others in what ever direction God has planned for you.

Being clever, inquisitive, passionate, and creative can lead you in many directions. Perhaps you could be a doctor, a sports therapist, or a number of other careers that would be honorable professions. But, remember to keep ‘Following Christ’ as your main priority if you want to find contentment.

Each of you girls are special to me in a different way. That’s not saying we’ve never had any problems, as much as I wish I could say that. It’s angered you when you couldn‘t do what you wanted, and you have driven me to the edge of insanity. But all the time you knew that I loved you. And you knew that I was only wanting you to grasp the knowledge, that you can change yourself with God‘s help.

So often young people are protected or told what to do until they are grown, and then they are told “You are on your own.” Generally instead of becoming independent they allow someone else to tell them what to think, how to dress, or how to act. It is easier to conform to what everyone else is doing than to think things through and decide what you should do. Your friends, or the media are ever present to influence you or make those choices for you.

At Haven of Hope you have heard testimonies, you’ve watched inspirational movies, you’ve written essays, and studied scripture to help you make wiser choices. Sis. Hollie, Sis. Rebecca, Sis. Slagle, Bro. Parker, Pastor and Sis. Judd, Sis. Burton, and I have all taught you, prayed for you and counseled with you. It was done to help you learn to write chapters that reflect joy and peace in your life story.

You have learned what Proverbs 13:18 says about refusing instruction, you’ve read that you should rule your own spirit (or attitude) in Proverbs 25:28, you’ve written lessons about proper behavior and wise decisions, and you have found the definitions of being wise or foolish. I pray that you have buried those lessons in your heart to guide you tomorrow, next week, or next year in becoming the lady that God sees your potential of being.

Do I think you girls will walk out of here and never fail? Are you expected to live for God and always choose wisely? Do we think you know the way to write your story? Absolutely not! Each of us set out on the Christian walk, and probably all have even thought they could live without falling. But, speaking for myself I’ve fallen and thought it was hopeless to get up again. It seemed the same failures happened over and over in spite of me getting up and begging for a do-over which never happened. That chapter was written, so the only thing to do was start writing the next chapter with a little more thought about the words I would pen.

Just remember, ‘You are not a failure because you have fallen. You are a failure when you refuse to get up again.’ One girl said she didn’t do something wrong because she heard a little voice in her head, it was my voice saying, “If you do that again you are in serious trouble.” The Bible tells us that God speaks to us in a still small voice. There is nothing that would please me more than for my voice in your mind to help you in writing your life story with pages filled with joy. But, if you leave here and never hear my voice again, I pray that you will always be sensitive to that still, small voice that God speaks to you with. He will bring to mind some scripture you have learned then forgotten, He will encourage you when life feels too hopeless for you, He will help you with those tough choices, or He will just remind you that He loves you and is there with you .