Last Wednesday I was in Oklahoma City to hear Prison Fellowship founder Chuck Colson speak at the monthly meeting of the Oklahoma Business Ethics Consortium. Several hundred people gathered to hear Chuck speak about “doing the right thing” and why it is imperative that we follow the teachings of Jesus if we want to see families, communities, churches, businesses, and our country healed and prosperous.
As I entered the convention center, I saw a familiar face across the foyer. Ruth Miller, a long-time Angel Tree organizer in Oklahoma City was attending the luncheon with a guest. I greeted Ruth, and she introduced me to Michelle – a former Angel Tree child.
Nearly two decades ago Michelle’s mom was incarcerated and left Michelle, then 16, to care for four younger siblings. Michelle would not allow the family to be split up into several foster homes and was allowed to become the primary caregiver along with her grandmother. She dropped out of high school and took a job at a local restaurant to support her brothers and sisters – the youngest who was just a toddler at the time.
While in prison, Michelle’s mom signed her kids up for Angel Tree. Ruth Miller’s church made sure they received a gift for Christmas. But that was just the beginning. Ruth made sure those kids received much, much more.
Michelle and her family were “adopted” by the church. They were welcomed into the church community and given guidance and direction. Needs were met, and a healthy “family” environment was provided. The Gospel of Jesus was shared in word and deed. Michelle and her siblings began to follow Jesus because of the love extended to them by this local church.
Michelle went back to school and received her GED. She then earned a degree qualifying her to work in an oncologist’s office. Now she is supporting her siblings financially. The other kids are doing well in school, with the oldest sibling now attending college.
Michelle was at the event with Ruth – her spiritual mom – to hear Chuck talk about doing the right thing. She was able to be there because Ruth did the right thing almost two decades ago.
I want to do the right thing every day – love God and love my neighbor. I want to choose to say “no” to self-service and “yes” to the service of others like Michelle and her brothers and sisters. I want to do the right thing just like Ruth and her church.
How about you? By following the path of Jesus and caring for those He places in our path you and I can be part of changes the direction of lives and families. That is the right thing!