The fingers of God point down specific roads. Even when we are totally lost and confused, He has signs guiding us where we should go. Sometimes He gives us directions through people He places in our paths.
Many of you are familiar with our friend Keena, who has opened her home to 8 foster teenagers and who has frequently posted her experiences on this site. She and the kids recently invited us to their home for Sunday lunch and they attended the Sunday night service we sang in that night.
At the end of the service, we all joined the congregation for a fellowship meal. (Have you noticed several of my stories involve food?! Hmm.) The church staff directed us to a reserved room. We discovered six young men sitting around a table. They offered to get up so that we, Keena and several of the kids could sit down, but we all ended up crowding around the table together.
As we got acquainted, these guys in their 20s began telling us about their lives. They live together with a group leader in a small house as part of a discipleship training program. They voluntarily participate in a strictly regimented schedule with Bible study and prayer as their main activities of the day. They shared their testimonies with us, stories of all different backgrounds of drug abuse, imprisonment, personal tragedy and emptiness. As they spoke, you could see a thousand questions arising in the foster kids’ minds.
The boys asked if they had to do push-ups. The girls asked how they had enough space for all their stuff. Then the real questions started.
“How did you get off the streets?”
“Do you miss being with your family?”
“Do you just pray and read the Bible all the time?”
As these kind young men told the kids how the Lord had changed their lives, you could see the light bulb coming on for the teens: They are just like us.
No matter who you are or where you’ve been, there is someone just like you who has already been there, someone who can show you where to go. That person may be “showing up” for you right now! Are you watching? Share that story with all of us here.
Lauren,
Although i did not meet you (i was one of four that decided not to be in the room) i heard much about what took place. My name is brett and i have been in the program for 13 months. We would love to stay in contact with you, as well as possibly work together in the future. I am the sceduling coordinator so i’d love to email you my office number so that we could be in contact.
The service was absolutely amazing.
Brett (Charles) Ehrman
Reply to Brett EhrmanHi Brett!
Wow…I am thrilled that you posted! There are many people who can learn a lot from you guys. I think your discipleship program is wonderful. We’d love to keep in touch with y’all…send us your info through our website, http://www.talleytrio.com. Thanks!
Reply to Lauren TalleyOh man that’s awesome
Reply to RJ HendersonWhat is really awesome?
Reply to Lindsey PierceThe story and message.
Reply to RJ HendersonMy youth pastor, Lenny, he is just the most amazing person to be around and to talk to. He told me his testimony the first day I met him. His testimony was pretty much about how when he was younger he was an alcoholic and he was addicted to drugs. He is really good at reading people. He had asked me if I done drugs or drank alcohol and I was hesitant to answer the question and he said to me I would never judge you Haley it’s not something God would do so I wouldn’t ever judge you and that’s when I really started opening up to him. We got to really talking one day after the class and he was said to me you never answered my question. I was thinking what question because it had been months since he had asked me if I do drugs or drank alcohol and I just told him yes I do on occasion. He looked at me with a blank stare for a few minutes. He finally started talking to me about what had happened to him while he done drugs and drank and he started reading scriptures to me and I started balling my eyes out and he grabbed my hand and we started praying together. I am just so thankful that God would put him in my life to show me the right way to go. Thank you Lord.
Much Love,
Reply to Haley PearceHaley
Oh and by the way he was apart of that group many many many years ago.
Much Love,
Haley
P.S. If you ever meet him uh don’t tell him i said the many many many years ago part.
He doesn’t like his age. 
So thanks!!!! 
Reply to Haley PearceWell, Id love to tell you about last night in particular, that alone was God at work! My testimony????? Man I dont know if you have that kind of time….. I was raised in the church, so consequently i thought i had ALL the answers. Im sure you will here it sometime. You can be praying for me though, Pastor Wilson and I are going to India in January. I am praying for you and your family for your trip. I just left you a message on the answering system that is listed on the contact us section of your website. I also left my email address which is the easiest way to contact me. Plz feel free to call or write.
Nice to ……kinda meet you….kinda.
In Christ,
Brett
Reply to Brett EhrmanThat’s a pretty cool story Lauren. There needs to be more programs like that. Hope you and your family have a safe trip over to Norway. I know you guys will be flying out soon. Take care!
Sam Kerfoot
Reply to Sam KerfootGuys have a GREAT trip to Norway and be SAFE.
Prayers are always heading your way!!!
Much Love,
Reply to Haley PearceHaley
Debra, Lauren & Roger,
I hope this time when you all go to Norway, that you all do not lose your luggage. You all be safe and may God Bless you all while you are gone. Our prayers are with you all.
Love,
Reply to Joyce BusterCharles & Joyce
So you guys are probably in the air right now………man i love traveling! Cant wait to go to India! Well have fun sing sing singin your hearts out!
brett
http://www.lovinghands.net
Reply to Brett EhrmanThat was a great story, Lauren. Praise God for people like that that will take the less fortunate under their wing & provide a place for them.
Reply to Elaine HarcourtHi Lauren!! I have just recently started really listening to songs that you and your family sing. I am 26 yrs old and Southern Gospel Music is my heritage. I have listen to stories that you have told and watch countless videos of you and your family on youtube. I have been so blessed. I sing also and have been going through some rough times. I have felt that I have lost my joy and my song. The song His Life for Mine has been such an inspiration to me. I am a single mom to a three year old, going through a divorce and also going to Nursing School. Singing is my true passion. I love it. I know that is my true calling. It has never been about performing to me. It has always been about singing his message and helping someone through a song I sing. I just wanted to tell to keep up the good work. You have been an inspiration and I know that God allowed me to see those videos on youtube for a reason. I pray blessings to you and your family!!
Love ya!!
Reply to Lee Ann HodgeLee Ann Hodge
Hi Lee Ann,
Divorce isn’t fun….trust me I know. My parents went through it almost three years ago and me and my dad are doing ok. You will be alright. You have God to keep you safe and He will take care of you really well. You are one of the many women that can go to school and raise a child by yourself. It’s tough. You are a strong woman and you can make it through this divorce. I will keep you and your three year old in my prayers. God Bless!!!
Much Love,
Reply to Haley PearceHaley
Thanks Hayley I really needed to hear that!! It is kind of cool that you wrote this when you did. The day you wrote this was my son’s birthday. He actually just turned three that day. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers! God Bless You!!
Love,
Reply to Lee Ann HodgeLee Ann
Hello LeeAnn,
Welcome to the family Tree! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed the music and that it’s touched you as it has. Keep coming back…we have lots of fun and interesting things going on here.
Lauren
Reply to Lauren TalleyHi Lauren!!! I have to be honest. I really did not think I would hear back from you. I have been recently watching videos on youtube of the new track Winds of the World and I LOVE IT!!! I am so hoping I can get the money to get the CD soon!! Thanks so much for all you do!! Gotta run going to help some Nursing Students out!! See Ya!!
Love ya,
Lee Ann
P.S.
Reply to Lee Ann Hodgeand yes i love looking ya’ll up on youtube!! LOL!!!
Hey! I hope all is well! I plan on going to the concert in Gastonia, NC, on Saturday. I was going to offer tickets for everyone to the Panthers football game vs. the Lions this Sunday in Charlotte, but I saw on the tour schedule that you’re singing Sunday night in Asheville. Oh well, I still hope all is well! God Bless!!! Hope to see you Saturday!!!
Matthew Mayes
Reply to Matthew Mayes