Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. . . .

— James 1:27

Getting into drug rehab is not so simple as one might think. Charlene, Mary, and Demetris, women who had spent their adult lives on the streets, wanted to get clean. We might imagine they’d be dropped off at a facility, given a room, and soon headed on the way toward healing. But the reality is more complicated. Just getting into a facility can take weeks.

The first hurdle for these women was to fill out forms—simple, right? Not when hands shake uncontrollably from withdrawal or concentration fails due to decades of drug use. Not when you have a twisted leg and need a cane. At one facility, Mary wasn’t allowed entry because of her cane. Twelve hours in hospital waiting rooms, struggling with forms, having nothing to eat, and obtaining identification—these obstacles were just the beginning. Yet our shelter director, Kadie Verstrate, stayed with each woman, offering encouragement and support. Kadie’s presence reflected God's steadfast love.

We need volunteers who can be “on call” to sit with people as they fill out forms, gain proper identification, and go to rehab facilities. God calls us to look after people who are often disregarded, disadvantaged, and in distress. Kadie’s work truly embodies this call, and I’m grateful for the Spirit’s work through her to support Demetris, Mary, Charlene, and many others.

Lord, teach us to serve as Jesus did, bearing burdens as family, trusting your love to guide us always. Amen.