Valued

Older than many of our clients, he comes to learn about our mentorship program. As he enters, he exclaims, “It sure does smell good in here!” That is because freshly brewed coffee sits on the entry table along with some cookies. When they are offered to him, he seems surprised. 

 His eyesight is compromised by diabetes, so one of us sits with him and fills out his intake form. Afterwards, he is greeted by Pastor Joel, his mentor. When sharing about his life, he reveals he is addicted to cigarettes, and one day, when he only had ten dollars in his pocket, he was set to go out and buy a pack. However, his daughter came to him needing money. He confesses, “Man, I wanted my smokes so bad, but that was my daughter! I had to give her the money.” 

 Pastor Joel connects this to the concept of sacrifice, and leaning in, asks our client if he is a man of faith. When he nods, Pastor conveys how sacrifice is the cornerstone of the Gospel, how Christ is the ultimate sacrifice.  

At the end of their session, this client seems confused. He asks, “How do I earn points for the Family Store? I haven’t watched a video.” A former coaching client, he is used to this transactional piece. When told he is welcome to take a few items to get him through the week and that points aren’t necessary, he blurts, “Ooh wee! Things sure are different around here.” Asked how that makes him feel, he answers with one word. 

“Valued.”