Life Notes: A Glimpse of God’s Love
by Luke Allen

A little blond-headed boy squatted down, patting the back of a happy stripped cat with an open hand. In the background is a weathered sidewalk lined with green grass and a red brick house. This picture brings a smile to my face because forty years ago, this blond-headed little boy was me. The red brick house currently is the Clinical Building, where youth from LMCH receive therapeutic services from loving, compassionate therapists. Before it was the Clinical Building, my family lived on campus in this brick house until I was four years old.

This picture brings back happy memories; good memories of family, love, security, happiness, and many more. Reflecting on my childhood compared to the experiences most of the youth that come to Louisiana Methodist Children’s Home are vastly different. It is hard to read and comprehend the trauma kids experience before coming to the Home. The physical and emotional scars that sear into these precious kids’ hearts and minds are deep.

I wish I could wave a magic wand, and the memories of all the kids who come to the Children’s Home would be of happy times with family; of love, security, and goodness. Magic wands do not exist, but people with big hearts and compassionate spirits do.

The evidence of the Gospel is present throughout LUMCFS. We are not perfect, but we try hard to soothe deep scars and provide tools to mitigate the trauma our youth have experienced. We work hard for kids who have endured so many negative things in their short lives, hoping they will get a glimpse of God’s love.

LUMCFS’ Mission statement declares, “We guide children and families home to experience Gods love by following the teachings of Christ.” This Mission has helped kids and families find hope for over 110 years. Amid a pandemic and the uncertainly of the world around us, we find clarity in our Mission. Our Mission does not fade when distractions are around, nor do our hands and feet grow weary.

Isaiah 40:29-31 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

At Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services, we covet your prayers. We humbly ask you to please pray for our kids to have the strength to overcome the trauma they have experienced. Pray that our employees have the grace to show God’s Love.

Life Notes Takeaway
Children will need us today and tomorrow. What the world endures now will impact families and kids for years to come. Our Mission calls us onward to find new ways to show God’s love, and we will not stop.
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About Luke Allen
Luke Allen is a follower of Jesus Christ. He and Leslie have been married 17 years and they have two active boys. He is a graduate of Ruston High School and received a BA in Political Science from Louisiana Tech. He also holds an MA in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Louisiana Tech. He worked in long term care in New Mexico, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana before joining LUMCFS in 2012. Luke says, “I am humbled and honored to be back at the Children’s Home and to be part of a such a great team at of servant leaders”.

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APA Citation
Allen, L. (2020, August 11). Life Notes: A Glimpse of God’s Love. LUMCFS Blog. https://lumcfs.org/life-notes-a-glimpse-of-gods-love/
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The Life Notes essays are written by staff of Louisiana United Methodist Children and Family Services.