Ellen had been no stranger to difficulty for some time, having endured the hardships of divorce, financial constraints, painful church conflicts and splits, anxiety attacks, and even a period of homelessness. But then three years ago she responded to that knock on the door that no mother ever wants to receive. It was the Marion County Sheriff Department’s chaplain, bearing only dreadful news. Her son, suffering from PTSD, had taken his own life, despite the fact that circumstances had been turning for the better. Ellen had been worrying about him for some time, but this was not what she had expected. One look at the man at the door plunged her heart into surreal shock. However, it all became only too real when a week later she was given custody of two young granddaughters. She now had to face a future with no money, no car, no hope. She felt broken and wanted nothing more than to stop existing herself. 

But Ellen had a friend who called a friend. The next thing she knew people were dropping off loads of needed children’s items – clothes, school supplies, toys – at Silver Creek Fellowship. Before long, her girls had received everything necessary and, in fact, much more. Finally Ellen had to stay, “Stop, my place has no more room!” Shortly thereafter, the girls, (who had once lived on the streets and in shelters down in California), were begging to go to church, as church people had shown them kindness in the past. Despite feeling wary, Ellen gave in and started taking them to SCF.

by Trish Ambrose, Storyteller

Ellen had been no stranger to difficulty for some time, having endured the hardships of divorce, financial constraints, painful church conflicts and splits, anxiety attacks, and even a period of homelessness. But then three years ago she responded to that knock on the door that no mother ever wants to receive. It was the Marion County Sheriff Department’s chaplain, bearing only dreadful news. Her son, suffering from PTSD, had taken his own life, despite the fact that circumstances had been turning for the better. Ellen had been worrying about him for some time, but this was not what she had expected. One look at the man at the door plunged her heart into surreal shock. However, it all became only too real when a week later she was given custody of two young granddaughters. She now had to face a future with no money, no car, no hope. She felt broken and wanted nothing more than to stop existing herself. 

But Ellen had a friend who called a friend. The next thing she knew people were dropping off loads of needed children’s items – clothes, school supplies, toys – at Silver Creek Fellowship. Before long, her girls had received everything necessary and, in fact, much more. Finally Ellen had to stay, “Stop, my place has no more room!” Shortly thereafter, the girls, (who had once lived on the streets and in shelters down in California), were begging to go to church, as church people had shown them kindness in the past. Despite feeling wary, Ellen gave in and started taking them to SCF.

One day on the way home from a tough counseling appointment in Salem, Ellen grew so distraught, hopeless, and immobilized by anxiety, that she knew she had to do something drastic. She pulled into the church parking lot and ended up sobbing in Rob Barnes’ office. Jeff Davidson soon joined them, and they prayed for Ellen. Afterward, she asked for a contact with a woman who could pray with her on an ongoing basis. The Lord sent her Ginny and Trish. It turned out that Ginny was the “friend”  who had arranged for all the help gathering supplies for the girls. The two soon-to-be-friends came over to Ellen’s home, helped her with some problem solving, and enabled her to face some hard-to-answer questions.They prayed and shared their encouragement and wisdom, not just that one day, but over several years.

Ellen came to realize that what she most needed to do was to let go of her stubborn will and independence, her self-sufficiency and exhausting self-effort, along with her distrust – of both God and His people.

Now Ellen has many amazing friends at Silver Creek. God has used each one to help change her heart. In the process, He has flooded her with His mercy and love.  A women’s weekend to the coast last fall, in particular, proved to be a meaningful time, to meet with God and other sisters in Christ. Ellen returned home a different woman. Much to her amazement and joy, she has been freed from those debilitating anxiety attacks since then!

In reality, much of Ellen’s situation and circumstances have changed little. But, her perspective and focus have been tremendously transformed. Verses read and known from years ago have sprung to life again. In wonder, she can say, “My Creator loves me!!! And He has allowed His Spirit, (the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead), to live in me!” She’s finally been able to receive His amazing love and finds herself so in love with Him in return. She’s found that surrendering to His sovereignty has set her free and brought her peace. Ellen has expanded the “box” that she had put God in, and found Him to be more than all she needs.

Over the years Ellen submitted many prayer requests to the church on Sunday mornings, along with some praise reports. She is so grateful for the impact of those prayers and can testify that they have made a significant difference. Opportunities to serve now crowd into her schedule and the challenge is learning when to say “no!” She enjoys helping to cook for the homeless once a month, distributing food through Mission of Hope, being involved with the women’s ministry and actively participating in the Rushes’ small group, who are now “family” and “feel like home.”

And gratefully, the girls are likewise more content and confident now, doing well in school, and they are actively engaged at SCF, too. And to think, it all started with that unexpected and unwanted knock on her door.