Tonight I went to a meeting at the church to learn about how I might be able to help support teens who are in foster care. At one point the presenter was asked how he came to work for the organization that is launching this new program. The presenter said he is a psychologist who worked with Project Rachel for many years. What he said next astounded me. He told the story of how he had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis from a very young age. His mother took him to doctors appointments as well as physical therapy 3 times a week. He was told that by the time he was 18 years old, he would be in wheelchair. But his mother told him that would not be his future. She believed that he would get better and stood by him. His parents moved the family from the humid South to the drier West to further prevent the disease from flaring up. He did get better. He said he had a heart for youth and wanted each of them to know that they are worth something – that they have value. Teens in foster care don’t have a mother like he did and struggle with self worth. He wants to help change that. I couldn’t believe my ears. He could have been telling MY story! I, too, had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis from a young age. My mother also took me to doctors and physical therapy 3 times a week. We were told that I would be in a wheelchair by the time I was 18. My mother refused to believe that and took me to Lourdes where I had an incredible spiritual experience. My parents also made a home in the dry West partially due to the fact that it would be helpful for me. I did get better. I also have a heart for youth as I know how hard it was for me growing up with the disease. I was made fun of and had very low self esteem. I want to help youth understand the value that they have. As he spoke, I had a hard time holding back the tears. I spoke to him after the meeting and talking about our similar backgrounds was amazing. We understood those childhood experiences like no one else could. I knew God put me in that room.

I Found God today in an encounter with a person who shared the same childhood experience.