Looking Back as We Step Forward

What will the new year hold for GraceWorks? Frankly, I don’t know. What I do know is that our sovereign God has it all under control. I recently read a quote that said, “May your history with God compel you to trust Him with your future.”  

Well, why don’t we take our trust walk into the future by looking back at some of the year’s highlights of God’s faithfulness so that we can remove any fears or concerns about what will happen with and to GraceWorks in 2023. 

Of course, the most obvious concern we had last year at this time, was wondering if GraceWorks would end up “homeless.”  Silly us! God proved Himself trustworthy by providing us with a 5-year lease extension in our current location. And in addition to that He made it possible for the City of Franklin to graciously allow us to extend our parking capacity by creating additional parking spaces for staff on the side of the Administration Building. Check and double check! 

We pivoted a bit on the Manger and asked some of our key supporting churches to join us in providing a Holiday Food Basket to every Neighbor attending the Manger who wanted it. We weren’t sure they would say yes to the 800 Holiday Food Baskets needed. Through God’s grace they agreed and consequently many Neighbors were able to have a bountiful Christmas meal.  

We were worrying about our aggressive Turkey Trot goals given this was a post-COVID gathering under the additional threat of a flu and RSV outbreak, but God once again proved that He can be trusted! We had a record attendance of more than 3,000 Turkey Trotters, amazing weather, and profitable results of raising nearly $200,000. Go God, go! 

God answered above and beyond our hope as the GraceWorks’ Thrift Store’s numbers continue to exceed budget (A big thank you to all you shoppers and Thrift Store donors reading this! 88% of your shopping dollars and donations go to programing).   

Speaking of programming, all these successes supported the record number of requests for our services. God knew this would be the case and that we would need extra funds to meet these crucial needs. The Food Pantry continues to meet the growing hunger needs of our community as we average 47 food carts a day. Last month alone we had 86 requests for help with shelter and 91 requests for help with utility bills. The Mobile Food Pantries are well attended where on average we serve over 150 families in just a few hours. Our wraparound support and referral to other service partners is buzzing with activity as well. The Family Collective Initiative (called Momentum) is vibrant as we come alongside to mentor, guide and support 35 families who are homeless or at risk of becoming so.  

And who knew in the midst of all of this that God would bring a wonderful man in my life to ask for my hand in marriage and that I would say yes! Whaaaat!!!!! A year full of God’s provision for sure! 

Looking back as we step forward into 2023 gives us much hope. God was there orchestrating, providing, caring and providing hope. He for sure will do the same this year! Thanks for heeding His promptings for you to partner with us. Your obedience made it possible for us to generously meet the needs of our Neighbors! 

Wishing you a Happy New Year as you trust God for the future!