Many who arrive at our doors come to Star of Hope feeling alone and forgotten. The pain of their past has caused them to feel abandoned by the world, but God is there to lift them up! James had a difficult childhood, leading him to believe he was invisible to those who should have cared for him. This is his story:
My childhood was filled with verbal and physical abuse. After my parents’ divorce, my brother and I were forced to endure it from my stepmother daily. Once I was old enough, I tried unsuccessfully to defend us from her abuse. Eventually, my grandparents took my brother and I in so we could escape the violence. Living with my grandparents is some of my fondest memories. Because of them, my teenage years were happy, spent living on a ranch and in sports. I even earned an athletic scholarship to play college football.
After graduating, I started drinking, trying to hide from the painful memories of my childhood. At one point, I worked as an artist manager in the music and entertainment business. This is where I was introduced to the life of heavy drinking and partying. I became addicted and spiraled out of control, this landed me in jail. After I was released, the heavy partying caught up to me, and I suffered a massive stroke which led me to become homeless and live on the streets until my cousin saved me by bringing me to Star of Hope.
I learned at Star of Hope that I am not invisible in God’s eyes. On the streets, I would pray for death, having felt abandoned by my family and thrown away. But here, I learned that I am a child of God, and even at my worst, I was forgiven and accepted by God, just as I am.
Through Star of Hope, James discovered that his identity lies in Christ. Because of your continued support, he no longer feels abandoned but has found a home filled with love and acceptance here. Thank you for continuing to provide individuals like James with a new beginning.
3 Comments
Hearing success stories is my reward here on earth! It hurts so much to learn there is a “throw away” mindset among people as if they are trash, when the Bible clearly explains God created people in His own image for His good pleasure. How people who think they live accordingly can look at other people as less than themselves is unfathomable. This is what happens when God is taken out of the family, nearly out of the church, affecting our nation as a whole. We have to regain the right perspective & realign our thinking with God’s view on the who, what, when, why & where of His creation. King Nebuchadnezzar is a prime example of human nature gone bad. He became animal-like & ate grass! Thankfully, in his fallen state God was able to get through to him, too. Thank you for always sharing people’s live that have been changed, turned around. I love the statement, in fact I wear a t-shirt that says, “God allows u-turns.” HalleluYAH!
I have known James for 5 years…this makes me so happy that you have helped him to get his life together!! I tried so hard to help him!! He just needed God back in his life !! I am so proud of him!! He has a special place in my heart ❤️
Oh James you are a beautiful and wonderful child of God 💗