Living Empathy

We can recognize that our own challenging experiences can help us to appreciate what others are going through. If we have been delivered from a particular set of circumstances, I believe that it is possible for the Lord to teach us through those challenges in order than we might provide help and encouragement for others facing similar situations. 2nd Corinthians chapter 1 states:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

Ruhamah is a ministry founder whose experiences as a teenager and young adult contributed to the work of that ministry.  In a piece on The Christian Heart website, she writes about leaving her home in Jamaica at the age of 17 to get out from under her parents' authority.  She went to work for a man who ultimately took advantage of her in an inappropriate way.  She was out on her own and homeless, someone allowed her to live with her - she went to school, got married and had three children, but ultimately left the husband and came with her children to America.

She had become a Christian at age 13, but life had obviously been a struggle. God touched her heart through her experience volunteering at a pregnancy resource center.  She writes:

In 2002, I began volunteering at a pregnancy center in Daytona, Florida, where I worked with pregnant and abused women who shared similar experiences to mine. I loved working with them. In 2008, I moved to Texas with my second husband, and in 2009, I volunteered with a pregnancy center in Katy.

While mentoring a young woman, she mentioned how, at 17, she was kicked out of her home and trafficked. This triggered a memory for me, and I wept, realizing I could have been just like her if God had not protected me. Ever since I accepted Jesus when I was 13, I have always believed He was protecting me.

At that moment, I felt the Holy Spirit speaking to me about establishing a home for homeless, abused or abandoned pregnant women. She was eight months pregnant and about to be homeless. Praying and crying out to Jesus, I told Him I could not do this, but I was reminded of what happened to me at 17. He made me aware that if not for His grace, I could have become a prostitute or drug addict. Hence, He wanted me to help rescue women who going through this.

After initially wrestling with God, in 2019, Ruhamah Rylander established Keturah's Haven in Katy, Texas. She says, "In 2019, we opened Keturah’s Haven, a place where unconditional love changes lives, two at a time. Since then, we have been able to help almost 300 women. Currently, we have four women and three babies in the house. Nearly all who have been in our program have professed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It is a pleasure to do this, and I have seen lives change for the better. Some of our past residents also call to update or ask for advice."

Why the name? You may recognize that Keturah was married to Abraham after Sarah died. Its website states: "...through the offspring of Keturah, Abraham became 'the father of many nations.'" It goes on to say:

Keturah was also the middle name of the founder's late mother. She was known to have a heart that gave abundantly to people in need. Her legacy continues in the heart of Keturah's Haven."

Ruhamah can remind us that because of her experience of what she terms the "grace" that God showed to her.  Clearly, she admits if God had not intervened in her life, it would have taken a different direction. Out of her gratitude, God established a work of faith that has borne fruit in hundreds of lives. Through our struggles, through our trials, we can experience a grace that can motivate and enable us to help others.  

We should always maintain a sense of thankfulness when we consider how God has worked in our lives.  Even though we may have experienced difficulty or are currently in a challenging time, we can be reminded of God's faithfulness and know that He walks with those who are beaten down and brokenhearted.  When we have no where else to turn, we can call upon the Lord and find the resources we need to live a life honoring to Him.