The Best of All Surprises

A little boy was attending Sunday school and his teacher asked the class this question, “What lives in a pond, hops, eats flies, and ribbits?” The boy enthusiastically raised his hand to answer and said, “I know the answer is Jesus, but it sounds like a frog to me!”

That cute story reminds me a little of our work at Cornerstone.

Recently one of our Faith and Finances students was having a conversation with our executive director, Debbi Akers. During the conversation the student blurted out, “You all tricked me! I thought I was coming to learn about finances and instead I found a family—these are my people!”

Another student, speaking of her credit report, “I have been told (by an Ally) that I have hope, now I just need to believe that I have hope—I am getting there.”

 At Cornerstone we know the ultimate answer to the issues of life is Jesus, but in our work, it doesn’t always begin with Him—sometimes it begins with a budget, a credit report, a resume, in a goal setting process, or with a mock interview.

We intentionally design our initiatives to include the “three C’s”— Content, Community, and Care and through this approach many participants recognize their need for the ultimate answer—Jesus.

The places we begin and the needs we seek to meet in our initiatives CAN change. Where we pray our participants journey TO is the same—a growing relationship with Christ.

And yes, occasionally our participants are surprised by God’s grace.

When that happens, it is the best of all surprises!