Stronger Together

As I think about all the people who are hungry and experiencing homeless here in Snohomish County, my heart breaks.

It has been such a busy summer. We’ve seen so many men, women and children come to our doors looking for help. And I know it may seem early to be thinking about the fall and upcoming holiday season. But I’ve been here at the Mission long enough to know that we don’t have much time to prepare to feed and care for everyone who will come to us hungry and struggling to find the hope they need each dark day.

It can feel overwhelming.

So often, as I pray, I’m reminded that there is power . . .
Power in “we” — power in you and me, and our community — power if we can come together. There’s an incredible amount of power in community.

I love the way it’s phrased in Ecclesiastes 4:12:
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (NLT)

That verse tells me that the more people we have on our team, and the more united we are, the stronger we will be. I love that! It soothes my soul because it crushes the idea that life is always and only every man for himself. No! That’s not how it should be. That’s never how it should be! We were created to be community. We’re meant to pick each other up when we fall and to stand together in times of trouble.

We will be stronger when we stand together!

The family of the Everett Gospel Mission has proven that to me over and over again. It’s a truth that I desperately want our guests to feel and see the moment they walk through our doors.

So that’s what I’m focusing on as we head into the fall. I’m focusing on community and the beautiful truth that none of us stands alone, and we never will.

Sylvia