I am very fortunate to work with incredible women. Day in and day out, I am blessed to be in a position to support mothers as they work to build a secure future for themselves and their children. At New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers, we provide stable housing, necessities for the early stages of motherhood, and resources beneficial for life as a new mother. We also look to equip our residents for life after their time at New Beginnings through educational and career advancement, time to prepare for future independence, and a loving group of Christian supporters in their corner. My job as a case manager is only made possible by the motivated mothers with whom I spend my time. Having been trained as a teacher, I know from experience that teachers are constantly learning from the students in their classroom. I feel similarly about the women in our care. They bring an incredible work ethic, an eagerness to form a relationship with God, an openness to new perspectives, and a passionate desire to give everything they can to their children. My experiences with these women have helped me expand my understanding of what God commands of us in 1 John 4:11: “Since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Where the rubber meets the road in this ministry setting is navigating how God would like me to fulfill this command to love in such a complex and broken world. Some days I really wish God also conveniently included exact “what to do when…” instructions in his Word. God instead reminds me the best approach to serving the residents in my care is listen, learn, and love.
Listening is not always easy. Hurt, injustice, loss, and trauma are real and all-surrounding. But since this is the case, listening is all the more crucial. A loving ear is of endless value, seeking to understand before seeking to be understood. It takes humility to recognize privilege and realize that tangible and environmental blessings are inherited by some and sought after by others. It is only through humility that one is able to genuinely appreciate how Christ chose to serve us.
As I listen, I learn how each mother has found herself on a unique path that led her to New Beginnings. The one similarity among the women is an intense desire to provide for their children physically, emotionally, and spiritually as best they can. This also means learning to provide for themselves to a degree that may be unfamiliar to them. My job exists because of our dual citizenship in both an earthly kingdom and a heavenly one. Food, water, stability, education, income, and the like are all essentials that cannot be ignored. With this being said, the only “riches” that will endure come from our Savior (2 Corinthians 8:9). I will be the first to admit that it is easy to become overly concerned with things that we see and physically experience here on earth. There is good reason to spend time on money management, goal setting, meal planning, mental fortitude, physical health, and educational advancement. However, the meaning to such work is founded on thankfulness to God and a sure future in Him.
Our mission at New Beginnings revolves around service. As we listen to our residents and the members of our community, we learn how best to love them by providing for their physical needs. But most importantly, we cherish our opportunities to tend to the one need that all people share: the need for the gospel message of forgiveness through Jesus.
Emily Holz is married to Nathan Holz, a 2024 graduate of the seminary. New Beginnings was started in 1993 by Christian Life Resources, a WELS-affiliated ministry.
Learn more at homeformothers.com.