Leaving Your Past Behind

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

I press on toward the goal to win the prize

For which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 3:13-14)

I began reading a book titled “Pathway to Purpose for Women” given to me by my mother several months ago. I must admit I haven’t read the book in its entirety but thus far it is excellent reading material. This book simply discusses various challenges faced by women and God’s purpose within each challenge. 

Each day I witness the story of young women facing the very same challenges discussed in this book. God prepares each of us for our own journey, it is in him that we must trust and believe that things will work according to his plan. Unknowingly, God provides us with the essential tools ahead of time to prepare us for the “great” challenge. The greatest task within each challenge is the ability to move past old experiences. With every past experience we all must gain the strength and wisdom to move forward. This is God’s purpose for our lives! It is not God’s desire for our lives to becoming mere dwellings on past experiences. 

"Those who are able to honestly and courageously deal with the past as a learning and shaping tool will take the road that leads to authentic living. That’s a way of life that enables us to honestly accept ourselves for who we are—warts, weaknesses, and all." - Dr. John Trent

 

Shaunna Parker, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, has been with Hope Clinic since January 2012. She provides medical services which include pap smears, STI testing, and limited obstetrical ultrasounds.  Shaunna received an undergraduate degree from Tennessee State University in 2007 and graduate degree from Vanderbilt University in 2011.

The Good Samaritan

From the time I was little I had the habit of watching others around me and seeing a snap shot of their lives unfold.  Somewhere along the way I became part of their lives in simple ways whether it was picking up a dropped item, lending my cell phone for someone to make a call or helping a lost child.  The desire to help and be a part of changing lives has led to my choice of serving at Hope Clinic for Women for the last nine years. 

It is also why I am fascinated by the TV show “What would you do”.  ABC’s hidden camera and staged ethical dilemma series puts ordinary people on the spot to see if they would step in or just be a bystander.  In a way is a modern day test of the Good Samaritan.  For those unfamiliar, the parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates the commandment of love your neighbor as yourself and addresses the question of who is our neighbor.  

Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.' 

[Jesus asks] "What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?" “The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.   Jesus said, "Go and do the same."  From The Message from Luke 10:25-37:

It  is important to realize is that Samaritans were very low on the social structures of Jewish Society and the religious scholar is asking Jesus how far down in society levels am I commanded to love my neighbor.  Jesus is clearly telling the scholar that everyone is your neighbor and your love should extend to all.  

At Hope Clinic we have the opportunity to share love to everyone who walks in the door.  It can be through a kind gesture or more impactful by directly working with clients.  I have learned that no role is small when working in a ministry as each plays a part in changing someone’s live.  If you have found yourself being a Good Samaritan to those you meet, I encourage you to consider becoming a part of Hope Clinic. There are many ways to be involved. 

 Desiree O'Neill has been with Hope Clinic for over 8 years and serves as the receptionist and client services assistant. In her 8 years, Desiree has heard many stories and has seen Hope Clinic grow to meet the needs of the women and families in Nashville. Desiree lives in Nashville with her husband and 6 year old son.

What a Wonderful Old Gate

What a wonderful old gate. My thought as I painted my dad’s favorite Bible verse onto an old wooden gate we are using in my daughter’s wedding. I wondered about the gate and who may have passed through it. Where did they come from? Where were they hoping to get to? I realized that the gate was not a “respecter of persons” (an old phrase meaning the gate did not discriminate or show favoritism toward anyone who passed through). And with each person who approached the gate two things occurred. First a choice was made to pass through the gate. And second, action was required to raise the latch for the gate to open.


The gate is not dissimilar to the door of Hope Clinic. If you have ever seen the “very large” front door on the house on Hayes Street you will realize quickly that for a person to pass through there is first a choice made to come to Hope Clinic and second, action is required to push open the door. To me, it is one of the bravest things I have seen someone do. And the door of Hope Clinic does not discriminate or show favoritism. It allows someone to move from a place of fear to a place of hope.

Our Lord speaks of a door in Matthew 7:7-8 (the same chapter that says we are not to judge) - “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” The choice is to believe that the door leads somewhere hopeful. The action is to knock. And He who is the Way will open the door to any and all who would enter.

Somehow as I considered the imagery, that gate seemed just a little sweeter. Oh, and dad’s favorite verse painted on that gate, the verse that is written on his headstone in the cemetery of the small country church he pastored the last few years of his life, that verse is Philippians 2:3 – “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

How sweet is the Way that leads to Hope.

Robbin Holland, Hope Clinic for Women staff member, April 2012

Media and a Healthy Self-Esteem

The Prevention Program of Hope Clinic for Women exists to provide targeted education to teens and young adults in the community, not only on the risks of becoming sexually active, but also the importance of healthy relationships and healthy self-esteem. One area that we discuss in our prevention presentations is the importance of understanding true empowerment. This is the empowerment that comes from having a healthy view of self and pursuing the things in life that bring lasting results.

A major topic of this discussion of empowerment is the cultural view that states if a woman exposes her body or poses provocatively, she is modeling empowerment and a healthy view of self. One problem we highlight with this view is when an individual is posing for these types of pictures, she may feel empowered for the moment, but once the photos are published she loses all power of what others do with or say about these images. While entertainment reporters might state that “owning” one’s sexuality is empowering, it ultimately takes away the power of the woman posing and impacts the prevalent view of women as a whole.

Sometimes I end up being out of the loop on things that are going on in pop-culture, so just this week I was made aware of a story that aired in February of this year drawing attention to the impact this type of exposure had on a model in her relationships and view of self. Kylie Bisutti, a former Victoria Secret Angel publicly stepped down from modeling lingerie and other provocative and revealing fashions in order to align her professional work with her personal faith and views. She credits this decision to the fact that she wanted to honor her husband by not sharing her body with the general public and the impact she felt her modeling was having on the views of younger women who look up to her, including her cousin who had expressed that she thought she might want to stop eating so that she could look more like her model cousin.

I applaud Mrs. Bisutti for taking a stand for what she believes and publicly making a statement to younger women who look up to her. This story further emphasizes the need provide education on these topics. Hope Clinic for Women is that source of education in the Nashville area.

For more information on our prevention program, contact Amy Moseley amoseley@hopeclinicforwomen.org

To find out more on this story you can follow the links below:

ABC Good Morning America video: http://youtu.be/5CDKLrsUyco

BLAZE February 7, 2012 article http://www.theblaze.com/stories/kylie-bisutti-quits-victorias-secret-lingerie-modeling-career-because-of-her-christian-faith/

Amy is the Client Programs Manager at Hope Clinic for Women. She has worked in the field of Mental Health Advocacy and Counseling since 2008. In addition to her work at Hope Clinic for Women, Amy has experience working with victims of sexual assault, special needs foster care, and individuals dealing with issues related to trauma as well as over 10 years of experience in full-time Christian Ministry.

GOD’s Grace and Mercy

I am so blessed that GOD led me to such a wonderful ministry. During my time here at Hope Clinic, I am so grateful that I am able to help clients walk through a crisis situation. I have always wanted to help others and I am so thankful that GOD placed me in this position. Each day, I am reminded of the grace and mercy GOD bestows upon his people. When I talk to clients, I realize that we all make mistakes in life and GOD gives us a second, third, fourth, fifth……….chance! I often meditate over the following verse:

1 Peter 5:10: And the GOD of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ. After you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong. (Today’s New International Version)

I am so empowered by the clients we see on a daily basis because it reminds me that this work is not just about “me.” It is about helping women, men and families walk through a crisis situation. The one value that I want to continue to strive for is being a living example of the Gospel by showing grace, unconditional love and mercy to our clients. Regardless of a client’s decision, we must continue to show unconditional love at all times.

Please enjoy this video. It really speaks to my heart and it is a great example of GOD’s grace and mercy. I also included the lyrics to the song! Enjoy!

Everything by Lifehouse

Find me here, and speak to me

I want to feel you, I need to hear you

You are the light that’s leading me to the place

Where I find peace again

You are the strength that keeps me walking

You are the hope that keeps me trusting

You are the life to my soul

You are my purpose

You’re everything

And how can I stand here with you

And not be moved by you

Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?

You calm the storms and you give me rest

You hold me in your hands

You won’t let me fall

You steal my heart and take my breath away

Would you take me in, take me deeper now

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you

Would you tell me how it could be any better than this?

And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you

Would you tell me how it could be any better than this?

‘Cause you’re all I want, you’re all I need

You’re everything, everything

You’re all I want

You’re all I need

You’re everything, everything

Everything, everything

Ginger Harris M.A. is the Pregnancy Services Manager. She is passionate about working with young women who struggle with self-esteem issues. Ginger previously worked for Department of Children’s Services as a case manager for 6 years. Ginger started as an intern a year ago and has now been on staff since October 2011 leading the Bridge Program and also counseling clients.