A woman recently came into the office. With a hint of desperation in her voice, she explained the issues in her home, the flooding that was happening. She couldn't fix it alone, and she needed our help. We explained that it was up to volunteers, and there wasn't much we could do at this point. She gently said thank you, sighed, and quietly left.

When she walked away my heart broke a little.

It's hard when neighbors come into the office or call us on the verge of pleading because they need assistance. It's hard to send them away to their waiting game at the mercy of someone choosing them. It's hard to start absorbing the fact we cannot fix all of the problems in Fort Wayne, even if we tried. It's too big of a task. In all of these thoughts, though, I kept asking myself, "But OK, you can't fix it, so what's the hope? Why keep hoping for change?"

But I think of the Bible story of the 1 lost sheep and the concept that even if just 1 person gets helped and grasps God's love through it, then it is worth it. It is worth it, because our goal is to live out practical expressions of God's love. And I know we've impacted at least 1 person, because I've heard a lot of stories this summer.

It still doesn't mean we have the magical ability to take away all of the problems of every neighbor, but we can still offer God's love even if we can't always fix the issues. So never be afraid to offer your help and love to neighbors. You may not reach everyone, but each one you do is worth it.

Love always wins.