Matt brought home a cd 3 weeks ago by a group called Jesus Culture. I had never heard of them, but now this cd is my favorite! The first song on the album is entitled "Your love never fails." I played this particular song over and over again and still couldn't get enough of it! Now 3 weeks later, I realize why. I am not only hearing that the love of Jesus never fails, or reading it in scripture, but I am seeing it in the life of a girl named Jenny.
Before I tell you about Jenny, I need to apologize that I haven't told you all this sooner. But when I think about the past two weeks, I cannot think of any time that I had to sit down and do this!
Jenny is an 18 year old girl who has been living with us the last two weeks. She is in our youth group and has had an extremely troubled life with little stability and much chaos. She has experienced the depths of the pit of hell. Amazingly, she has continued coming to our church through everything (totally on her own will). YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS. She got into some trouble several months ago and was kicked out of her house. After living with others (in worse shape than her) for a while, she showed up at church 2 weeks ago with nothing but the clothes on her back. Matt and I were not asked or expected to take Jenny in, but we both knew that the Lord was calling us to. YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS. I have had attacks of fear a few times since she has been here, afraid of her being here with all of her "stuff" in front of my kids and all. Even though I feared, God's protection over us never changed. He has lavishly covered our household with grace, given us all that we have needed for each moment. YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS. It took only a couple of days for us to see that this was nothing more than an opportunity to express our love to Jesus by loving Jenny. I asked Him to show me how to love Jenny and he told me to show affection with physical touch by scratching her back, rubbing her hair, and giving hugs. A couple of days ago, she wrote a letter to me explaining that those very simple things "seem like everything to me because I've never been shown so much love." YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS. Jenny has responded to this Love both by keeping up walls and clinging to old things and by being vulnerable and letting go of old things and habits. She is battling enemies on every side, but is trusting Jesus more. She is trusting His love more. YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS. We are asking God to fulfill His promises in her, that His perfect love would drive out all fear, and that it would conquer ALL. What we have seen His love do in two weeks is proof that the love of Jesus is far-reaching; it reaches high, long, wide and deep and it has no boundaries. YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS. I am certain that Jenny was brought into our home so that I would fall in love with Jesus all over again because I am seeing His Love and the power that it has and want to experience Him afresh and anew.
Jenny will be leaving us on February 22nd to go to Mercy Ministries in St. Louis. It has taken about a year for her to get accepted to this program. You can find out more about the program at www.mercyministries.com. Pray for Jenny continually, especially over the next 6 months to a year while she is at Mercy. I will try to keep you updated this week before she leaves us.
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5 comments:
What a precious embodiment of God's love your family is showing. Glory to God- His love truly never fails. Committing to pray for Jenny, the Pooles.
I understand where you are, and isn't it so amazing to realize that in the depths of things we can hardly imagine in the lives of others, we see Jesus overcome all of those things and more. Thank you for sharing! I will certainly be praying for you and your fam and for Jenny,
Love you!!
Melissa
Been praying for ya'll and looking forward to hearing how God has continued to work through ya'll. I check everyday for updates,,,,pretty awesome story! Thanks for sharing!
hi there Bethany. It was good to find you and your family on here. i just started the stegall blog and its so much fun catching up with everyone. Thanks for the last post about the girl you have in your home. will pray. your family is so cute and precious. I'm so jealous of your girls!!
Bethany - You may or may not remember me, I'm Courtney, the girl from AK who was in your freshman orientation group way back when (98). I was so excited to come across your blog linked to Fleet and Kim's page. I know I didn't know you very well, but you made quiet an impression on me with your wonderfully gentle, sincere and compassionate spirit, and I think of you guys from time to time, and wonder how you are. Obviously I'm thrilled to hear you guys are doing so well. And your family is beautiful!
Isn't it funny how God uses us in the most amazing (and sometimes uncomfortable ways) when we're open to His leading? I think it's wonderful you were able to minister to Jenny, and I can daresay she probably walked away knowing more love in 2 weeks with you guys than it sounds like she's seen in a lifetime.
Anyways, just wanted to say hello. Many blessings to you and yours.
-Courtney
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