Matthew 25:31-46 The Message (MSG)The Sheep and the Goats

31-33 “When he finally arrives, blazing in beauty and all his angels with him, the Son of Man will take his place on his glorious throne. Then all the nations will be arranged before him and he will sort the people out, much as a shepherd sorts out sheep and goats, putting sheep to his right and goats to his left.
34-36 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why:
I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room,
I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’
 
My sustainable goal is the blueprint to achieve a better and more valuable me. I know that from where I have been I have seen both sides of the lens.
 
Decent work which is used to describe something which is considered to be an acceptable standard yet characterized by conformity. I am a respectable citizen who has lead a decent life.  We all have been employed and received paychecks. But, how many of us have done something for someone not to look for a return or for them to pay you back? What do you mean? Well, I’m glad you asked.  See,  I believe this season of my life God has me truly focusing my lens on Him by me helping others.  I felt here was my chance to do what I love. Being available and going where I am needed. I have always had the compassion of building meaningful, long-term relationships with the individuals and families who want to change their lives.
 
According to the Will of God. A vessel meaning mind, Means that when we come to God, we should bring an empty mind that He might fill it with his truth. Giving to others being at faithfulness to Him and His word. Life choices comes with consequences but to much is given much is required. Meaning being a good steward over what is given to you whether financially and spiritually. Connecting with the community networks with the willingness of learning God's way of how and when He opens up doors for us.  I had to start looking up and not at man for my return. He is building me spiritually! This is why I started to look for the return on investments in better ways as to my spiritual, emotional and social wholeness.
 
As a child of the most high, a mother and a daughter etc. My faith means more to me from an economic growth. Glory to God.  Richness to me now doesn't have anything to do with my wallet. But, in fact,  it does mean the return on your investment. See, I have been allowed to see my growth through the peaks and valleys of my own life. I use to be in bondage and now total freedom in Him looks amazingly different.  It has always been second nature to me to do for others, without hesitation and now I know why. In life, you have to be able to deposit in order to receive a withdrawal. In the bible, it states, He gave so that we can give from the heart.
Economic growth is the increase in the market value of goods and services produced over a period of time. I want to be able to focus on desiring to be where I am at all times whether employed or not. For me now its not just about a 9-5 but my heart in the service of Him providing for me and my family as well as others.
 
When I first arrived home on September 13th 2013,  it was scary for me. I wanted to build goals, financially get back on track and build my confidence of being home all at the same time.  I was so overwhelmed I began to sleep a lot; but, finally received the motivation to focus by catching the bus to the Job Center, where I was connected to the MONTGOMERY COUNTY OFFICE Of REENTRY with Ms. Jamie Gee, and the Offender Workforce Development  program– which is designed to help restore offenders and get us back to work by attending weekly classes.  Their motto which is: “Action, Alliance, and Accountability”.  I was given resources to keep me productive, and stay on track. Therefore, staying busy with the appropriate resources.  I was employed by Delphi November 13, 2013 until Dec 2016.  So in fact, the OFFICE OF REENTRY gave me back hope and reassured me I still could be hired.  I had gained life skills and experience that can be transferred into any job. I had medical insurance and benefits.
 
But, as you know being a single mother, doesn’t come without challenges; being away for almost three years puts a strain on my bonding time; and at times, I had to work from 3:30pm in the afternoon to 3:30am. However,  Delphi employment allowed me to take care of my financial responsibilities.  Although my employment schedule did not always allow me to spend quality time with my 9 year old daughter at the time; I was and still am very thankful for my employer. Since then I volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. Joined the program in 2014 and now we have a  house being completed this year. Previously employed by The Mustard Seed Foundation and I am a recent graduate of AmeriCorps.  For those who provide a second chance, you are appreciated.
 
As a current volunteer, and former consumer of  Montgomery County Office Reentry program and services.  My commitment (2013), as a Community Speaker & Champion (2014-2017), Volunteer & Mentor (2014-2017). I believe I have been committed to my reentry transition as a returning citizen, and through my hard work and dedication, have been successful to achieve multiple accomplishments. Since completion of our Ohio Workforce Development Program in 2013, I was selected and am committed to being an agent for change through my transformation. I provide community education through motivational speeches, including but not limited to, the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce (DACC) Board Meeting and Membership Breakfast, Agape for Youth evening program, Annual Greater Dayton Christian Connection Breakfast, and I continue to mentor other returning citizens from the Dayton Correctional Institution through a network of supportive services, and faith- based  and community resources connection and engagement.
As a reentry stakeholder, I believe through observation I possess a level of maturity, reliability,   and respect as a young woman, advocate, and mother. It is my belief that I will remain very loyal and valuable asset to the mission of my heart to always serve with my heart.
I now believe my record is not who I am, and doesn’t define me. Through my adversity, I am dedicated to my personal mission statement which is to: nurture, influence, answer challenges, gather the unmovable, and discover the unreachable; yet be loving, sincere, and determined to give back & succeed by Grace of God.
Thank You

-Audrey Hardy
Huber Heights, Ohio
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com·mu·ni·ty

It raised me...

I looked over the topics for this blog at least 10 times, and it was rather hard when narrowing down the topics to categorize God as number 2-but God knows my heart, and honestly the topic I chose still has ALOT to do with HIM and he will forever be #1 in my life.

I was raised in an African American Methodist Episcopal Church from the time I was 5 years old. I was at every bible study, vacation bible school , church picnic, car wash, choir practice and so on. Although I cried most times when my grandmother dragged my sister, cousins and I along with her , eventually it all made sense.

I always knew that I was outgoing and loved being around people. I knew that I wanted to be a teacher or host some awesome show on television , but didn’t really care for college because not too many people from my family went and it wasn’t something that was talked about, other than at church.

When I was 10, my grandmother and God Mother would drop me off to Saturday YPD meetings and conferences at church , and we would volunteer in the community by passing out food to the homeless , or spending time with the sick and shut in at nursing homes. Although I would have rather been at a sleepover , or at the popular skating rink with my friends , I volunteered because I was told to. 


When I was 13 years old , my God Mother , who was also the YPD Director forced me to run for President of the YPD, and of course I did it .... a chance to boss people around and talk .... SIGN ME UP!!!

But ... it was more than what I thought it would be. It was more volunteering, more Saturday’s spent in the community , conferences at colleges , building friendships and relationships all while keeping God first. I absolutely loved what I did , and eventually became the President of the YPD until I was 18 years old. In those five years , I had spent more time in the community, traveling , meeting people who I probably would have never met had I chosen to go to a sleepover or party at the skating rink with my friends.

I was constantly being recognized by the Mayor and City Commissioners for my work in the community , always being asked to speak to a group of kids at local schools and I traveled more between the ages of 13-18 than I do now.

I spent more time in the community than I did at home , and it was an amazing feeling. I was always in the local paper , and because of my work in the community , many scholarships were awarded to me and now the thought of going to college was embedded in my brain. The amazing people in my church and community made sure that I was at every college tour available to me. 


When my grandmother died , it was the people in my church and community , my aunts , and God Mother who prayed for me , and picked my sister and I up for church. When I had no idea how I was going to afford Tawawa , or the Connectional YPD meetings, it was the members of my church and community who ensured that I had the money I needed to pay my registration fees as well as my flight to and from.

Once I graduated from highschool, my church and community was there for more , helping me pack up a Uhaul truck to go to college , always sending money to make sure I focused on my coursework and not on finding a job, and of course always praying for me and keeping me encouraged.

Now , even at the age of 10 times 3, plus 1, my community although now in a different city, still has my heart. Instead of being forced to help, and volunteer , my community now comes first , and even with a 2 year old who keeps me on my toes , I still find the time to volunteer and give back to my community. It’s embedded in my heart , and had it not been for my church and community , I honestly would not be the woman I am today. 


Our community , this community, you and I , we are all responsible for ensuring that our youth , and sick and shut in know that we “‘have their backs”. They depend on us , and I don’t know who I would be , or I where I would have ended up had it not been for my amazing community. My church; Greater Allen AME , the youth of the community , the YPD, and the Big Brother Big Sister Programs will always have a special place in my heart. Even when you feel like you’re doing enough , do more. - and now I volunteer because I love to!!


com·mu·ni·ty
kəˈmyo͞onədē/

-a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.


-Tierra Days
​Columbus, Ohio