GRAVES GROCERY
A COMMUNITY REST STOP
"A Place to Satisfy Your Hunger and Your Heart"
I never
dreamed I would be a store-owner, in my community, reaching out in ministry to
those in need. However, because I desire
to do more ministry in my community, I kept believing there needed to be a
physical place to meet to reach more women and children.
Eighteen
months ago, when the opportunity arose to buy a local store, the price was too
high. I proceeded to take a job at the local YMCA ministering to 120 kids
daily, along with their families, and supervising eight counselors.
I began Mom
Heart, a local community outreach, to women and children in September, 2012. We
meet weekly at a local church and engage in gospel storytelling, children’s
literature, practical life skills, and play.
We are
seeing transformation in the lives of the two families attending, as the power
of God’s word takes root in their hearts and minds. As change occurred, we all kept asking how
can we grow and impact more families in our community with the life saving
message of redemption.
I truly
thought this ministry was enough to last a while. It became evident at the end
of March, 2013, my job at the YMCA was coming to a close. God used significant
health issues to cause me to consider whether I was to stay.
Just a
short time after my thoughts began to wander about other jobs, I noticed the
same store I desired 18 months earlier was now up for sale again.
This time
it was half price. Fearful questions
arose,
“I have never run a business. How
will I know what to do?”
“Will I have enough money to take
care of my kids.”
Then
hurling accusations came from the enemy….
“You will never make it..You are
crazy….”
Then fear showed
up. So I reached out.
I knew a
God who rescued me out of addiction, abuse, and neglect. Although I am a single
mom with five children, he restored and redeemed my life. He had given me a
strong community of believers to walk with through life. He had given me a
strong testimony and heart for ministry.
I went to
God’s word, spent time in prayer, and asked for prayer from trusted friends
regarding this life changing decision.
And God came
through again. He is faithful.
Psalm 90:17
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us; And confirm for us the work
of our hands; Yes, confirm the work of our hands.”
Psalm 37: 3-7 “Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and enjoy safe
pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
And he will give you the desires of
your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord;
Trust in Him and He will do this;
He will make your righteousness
shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the
noonday sun.
Be still before the Lord and wait
patiently for him;
I meditated on the faithfulness of God and
recounted the story of His redemption in and through each and every trial in my
life. As I embraced His call on my life
to live missionally, to believe God to be all of who I know Him to be, I came
to a place of perfect peace and faith to walk through this new and exciting
adventure.
Yes, God
answers prayers and gives us the desires of our heart as we trust, delight, and
commit our ways to the Lord.
May He be
glorified forever in and through me, my children,…..and now, our little PLACE
to gather, share, eat, and fellowship in His glorious name.
I WILL NOT
BE AFRAID. I WILL GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES. HE IS WITH ME ALWAYS.
I want my
whole community to know this glorious truth of redemption, the saving grace and
love of Christ…that they too may experience the fullness of life the Father has
for them.
In Wonder,
Pam
