This month signifies our entry into Spring. Spring becomes this beautiful time of renewal. The earth renews, and suddenly we enjoy lovely carpets of green grass, beautiful blue skies, and lovely colorful flowers that become a gift to us each day. With all the beauty around us, it is easy to be grateful.
Renewal is what we practice at our ranch with the boys. They come in like winter is still attached to them. They can be bitter cold, little stormy, extreme, and bleak. Their life has just changed, and now they are with us in a strange environment. Sometimes they are regretful for their previous actions. So it takes our loving staff to surround them with the specialized care they need. This may mean therapeutic care. It may mean looking through memories, digging deep and acknowledging those things in their heart that are lost-either people, places or things.
This time of renewal in their lives is their spring. Spring for them can happen through their stay with us. They can have success in graduating from the program, staying on the right track making progress with their challenges and be reunified with their family. It can mean that they have graduated from high school, or have been trusted to participate in outside events. For instance, we just had a prom for our boys! They were taught how to be gentlemen. One young man came up to me and asked about how to ask one of the ladies to dance. Watching them, watching their joy, watching them being a typical teen, was the most beautiful spring I have seen in a long time.
As we approach Easter, many faiths are in a time of lent- a time of renewal. One tradition used in households during this time is called a Lenten bowl. It can sit in the middle of your table each year to reflect the empty bowls many people in our world face each day through food insecurity and more. It is a reminder to give of our excess and be mindful of those in need. Would you consider a Lenten bowl for Valley Teen Ranch children and youth? Your support will help us provide specialized services, care, and necessities for those in need.
As Easter people, we are reminded of the hope that our Lord has for us, for the boys at the ranch, those who need our help- all the “little ones.”
