SUFFERING AND SERVICE

Amber Hawkes has had her fair share of health challenges. From as early as 4 weeks old, she was going to the hospital at least once a month for three solid years. Doctors couldn’t figure out what was wrong and even told her parents to not expect her to live to see another day. Thankfully, her health eventually leveled out and was relatively stable until she was 9 years old. Then, it took a turn for the worse. Her body started breaking down. There were days she couldn’t walk, talk, or see. After years of this, Amber started to grow a hatred towards not only God, but herself. How could a loving, powerful God allow her to feel this type of pain, confusion, and fear? How could she continue living a life that she despised?

After more time and suffering had passed, she developed a personal relationship with God and was able to understand His heart and His plan for her life. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.” She finally came to the realization that she has to suffer in order to prosper. She also learned that serving others allowed her to forget, in a way, her pain and discomfort for that moment.

As a member of the National Youth Advisory Council, Amber mobilizes youth in relational service to the needy in her community through activities, including two Signature Youth Service Days every term. This past spring, she decided to prepare and serve food at the Ronald McDonald House, a safe haven for her and her mom during some dark days in years past. She knew how it felt to have a warm, delicious, “home-cooked” meal after long, tough days and wanted to give back to a program that helped her family so much financially and emotionally. Amber, along with 12 other volunteers she recruited, made enough potatoes, chili, and dessert for 100 people and was able to connect with families that are in the situation that she was in not too long ago. Coming full circle, she now sees her struggles as a blessing, not a curse.

-- Olivia Hermosillo, Youth Programs Intern