Deliver Them From the Hand of the Wicked – LeAnn’s Story

I turned 3 years old, and my earthly father died just a few days later. I grew up in a loving household, but we did not have much money, and my mother did the best she could to raise 4 young children by herself.

There was talk that she could not do it and that other family members could split us into different homes and provide for us… I am okay today. Although I may have been weak and needy, I learned about the love of my heavenly Father and spoke with Him daily, filling the void left after my dad had died. I was a fortunate little girl because the hand of the wicked was not able to grab me.

Other children are not as lucky as I was. There are children who seem needy and wear worn and tattered clothing to school. Other children who carry the stench of their drug-laden homes with them. Other children forced into wicked sex acts at a very young age. And other children who are in our communities who have never heard of Jesus. They may cry themselves to sleep at night, but they have not been taught about the love of God the Father who can rescue them.

I feel obligated to share His Love. How can I now live a good life and only think of my comfort?

It is only by His grace and mercy that I was not a child representing the horrible statistics about those defenseless children who move from place to place, who are abused, hungry, uneducated, struggling to survive and many who are ultimately incarcerated. I can’t imagine my life without God as my help, healer, and protector.

So, how will today’s most vulnerable children in the state of South Carolina grow up to be okay? Actually, NO, our state’s children should grow up to be more than just okay. I believe they can become thriving young citizens who will positively contribute to their communities.

But HOW? With all the trauma and experiences that they have had at the “hand of the wicked”? How can the most vulnerable be rescued?

As Christians, we are called to share His Love with others. In Psalm 82, it goes on to say these weak and needy “have neither knowledge nor understanding”, and I believe it is the responsibility of those of us who know and understand God’s love to share it with those who need it.

Fostering the Family has the answer and the model in which the church can step into lives and introduce these precious young people to the way of the Father, and into His loving arms.

Although my biological father had only a few years on this earth, I recall a story my mother would tell me about how he would be in our front yard and allow all the neighborhood kids to run into his open arms.

I remember when my dad would walk into our home after work and my three older siblings ran to him while I was still an infant, lying there like a young child that age might do. I remember the joy when my dad came over to reach down and pick me up. Memories of a good childhood with a father who loved me. Even if I did not have him in my life after the age of 3, I knew I was loved. Later, I knew and felt the love of God in my life — I was fortunate, unlike thousands of children now living in South Carolina.

During Christmastime, Christians remember Jesus as a little baby who left the comfort of His heavenly home to serve. If we ask for discernment of when to serve and when to sit at His feet, then let’s examine ourselves and reflect.

Are we just benefiting from what He has done for us through His birth, life, and resurrection? Or, are we serving others and sharing how everyone, even the most vulnerable children, can know His love?

So, during the end of this year when we are wrapping gifts for our loved ones, let’s consider how we can give God’s gift to the world.

Maybe, the gift you will offer will serve those most vulnerable who need to know His love, who need His hope, who need to be rescued from the “hand of the wicked.”

I am LeAnn Lowrey, and I serve as a Board Member for Fostering the Family. People can give financially, maybe keep a baby for a week to keep him out of foster care, or open up their home to a young man who needs a helping hand, and assist with projects that help other people take care of the most vulnerable.

These are some of the ways I have tried to serve my God, who has been so gracious and loving toward me. This is part of my “why” I am involved with Fostering the Family. It seems like the least that I can do is to give a little money, along with some of my time and resources, to help those young and not so fortunate, who have not experienced the love of our Father — yet.

So, where will you serve and what is your gift?

Could you help introduce children to their Heavenly Father? Could you give some of what God has blessed you with to make an eternal difference in another person’s life? Consider helping the most vulnerable in our community by giving and becoming a partner with Fostering the Family to rescue our young people from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 82:3-4 “Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

LeAnn Lowrey
Board Secretary