Webster’s defines success as “the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one’s goals.” With that definition I know that Jessie has reached success.
Jessie is a 21-year-old young lady who has a 4-year-old daughter. Jessie is in our VentureON independent living program. As a child, she endured a difficult divorce of her parents, relocation and then her mother’s diagnosis of MS. The disease eventually took her mother’s life. Jessie, along with her twin sister and handicapped sister, was taken into foster care where she was placed with a family that already had five children. Jessie was pregnant. For many of us, this is not a “path to success.”
“…You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20
God has worked for good in Jessie’s life. She is living independently with her daughter in their own apartment. She is attending college, working and raising her daughter—successfully. Jessie just finished her classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and will test for the certification next month. She will also begin classes to continue her goal of becoming a nurse.
She realizes the blessing of a good job. She works at the college. This job allows her the flexibility to work around her class schedule and still be home with her daughter on nights and weekends. Jessie and her mentor talk daily to ‘share life’ together. She is prayed for daily, receives advise, comfort or “just someone to listen” from this relationship.
What really makes Jessie successful is her attitude. She believes she can. She is a full time mother, fulltime student, fulltime employee. She is also a sister, granddaughter and friend. To me, she is an inspiration.
While she has accomplished much, there is so much more she wants. She is taking driving lessons and saving for a car. She wants to finish school and move closer to her grandmother so that she may care for her. She wants a wonderful childhood for her daughter and hope for their future.
I call that success!