"Encourage one another daily" (Hebrews 3:13).
A daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and exhortation.

"But with You there is forgiveness" (Psalm 130:4). "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).


She was raised in an ungodly home where she experienced physical, sexual, and emotional abuse from her mother’s boyfriend as well as his step-dad. Due to this ongoing abuse Yvette ran away from home when she was fourteen and lived on the streets.

She describes her life for the next 20 years as a series of addictions to alcohol, drugs, tobacco and sexual immorality. She had an abortion, as well as two children by two different men in abusive marriages. Many would call her life a "hopeless cause."  But with God there are no hopeless causes!

A friend invited Yvette to her church and for the first time in her life she heard the message of Christ’s love and forgiveness. She accepted Christ and thus began the major overhaul that is the process of spiritual transformation.  After a couple years of staggered spiritual growth she came into our church with a tremendous amount of baggage that often contributed to her wavering Christian experience.

Over the next several years Brooksyne and I, along with the congregation, spent a great deal of time praying with her and sharing specific Scriptures pertinent to the current trial she was facing. She spent a lot of time in our home – we wanted her to witness a Christian family setting.

Yvette continued to experience great loss in her life and was homeless for a period as well.  She did tremendous battle with the enemy who still greatly desired to have her. But her heart was tender and Jesus desired to have her far more than Satan because He wanted to take the ashes of her life and turn them into something beautiful, and He has done just that.

Due, in part, to her lifestyle prior to becoming a Christian, both of her children followed in her path and entered a sinful lifestyle that was similar to hers. I recall as her pastor, along with our church, frequently praying for her children but seemingly to no avail. Since there were no visible signs of change I must admit my faith was often weak, but we continued to pray.

Yvette has stayed faithful to the Lord, and in the years since we moved to Pennsylvania from New England, both of her children, Nicole and Joey, have also accepted the Lord and are in active Christian service as they both attend Bible College.  To the left is a photo of her son Joey and daughter Nicole.

In Christ there is complete and continual forgiveness! There’s no hopeless cause. He is able to save to the uttermost. A statement from a book I read many years ago by Max Lucado comes to mind. He uses it to conclude a powerful redemptive story of a wayward child. It’s God’s call to all: "Whatever you have done, whatever you have become, it doesn’t matter. Please come home."

Yvette met Wayne as she worked at a Christian rehabilitation center called Teen Challenge. Wayne received Christ and renounced his old way of life while he was a student of Teen Challenge. Following his graduation he became a staff member.  In January 2006 I had the privilege of conducting their wedding ceremony. They both are serving the Lord together and helping others to find the restoration and new life that Jesus Christ offers to all those who turn to Him.

A fervent prayer rose up to heaven,
A fragile soul was losing ground,
Sorting through the earthly babble,
Heaven heard the sound.
This was a life of no distinction,
No successes only trials.
Yet gazing down on this unlovely one,
There was love in heaven's eyes.
 
In heaven's eyes there are no losers,
In heaven's eyes no hopeless cause.
Only people like you
With feelings like me,
Amazed by the grace
We can find in heaven's eyes.

The orphan child, the wayward father,
The homeless traveler in the rain.
When life goes by and no one bothers,
Heaven feels the pain.
Looking down God sees each heartache,
Knows each sorrow, hears each cry.
And looking up we'll see compassion's fire,
Ablaze in heaven's eyes.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer:  Jesus, Yvette's story inspires me and spurs me on to pray for my loved one who just doesn't get it.  Though I've prayed year after year after year and have felt great frustration at his willful defiance to spiritual truths I want to pray for him again. He is not a hopeless cause, but rather a fragile lost soul who has yet to recognize or acknowledge his need for redemption from a life of sin. Thank You, Jesus, that You save the vilest offender who surrenders his will to You.  All who come to Christ are miracles of Your grace and I commit my loved one to You once again believing You for his miracle of redemption.

A personal word from Yvette: I want to encourage those who are struggling to keep on pressing forward, do not give up, and don’t lean on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5&6).  God is faithful to those who earnestly seek Him and put Him first (Hebrews 11:6 and Matthew 6:33).  When you’re praying for your loved ones don’t give up when you don’t see instant results or outward change. God works where only He can see the thoughts and intents of the heart (Galatians 6:9).

Yvette singing "Breathe"

For information on becoming a Christian

Teen Challenge is a powerful ministry with a long history of presenting the delivering power of Jesus Christ.

More Life Stories

Max Lucado, “No Wonder They Call Him Savior” (Portland, Oregon; Multnomah Press, 1986) p. 73

"In Heaven's Eyes" McHugh, Phill © 1985 River Oaks Music Company (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 2005306