J , a budding artist, shares the painting he donated to Grace Medical Home.
In a world of darkness, even the smallest light can change everything. I know this because I was once lost, forgotten, and drowning in a life of pain and despair. But through the grace of Jesus Christ and the love I found at Grace Medical Home, I discovered hope, healing, and a new beginning.
My name is J. My story is not one of strength or bravery but of redemption. I was born in a small Central American neighborhood where opportunities were scarce, and the paths laid before me led either to crime or exile. My childhood was filled with love for a time—until my father left, and my mother, overwhelmed by the burden of raising three children alone, could no longer give me the attention I craved. Poverty and survival became our daily reality, and I found myself drifting toward the only life I knew—the streets.
Surrounded by crime yet unwilling to become a gang member, I sought another way to survive. My ambition led me into the world of drug trafficking. The money filled my pockets, but my soul was emptier than ever. My mother wept for me, warning me that I was walking toward death, but I didn’t care. I had long carried the weight of wanting to die.
When I turned 18, my life unraveled completely. Heartbreak, depression, and anger consumed me, and I made a plan—one that would end with my own destruction. But the night before I was set to act, something unexpected happened. As I walked the familiar streets, I passed a small church where songs of praise to God filled the air. Something deep within me stirred. Despite my resistance, I felt an undeniable pull, and before I knew it, I was inside, sitting in the back row, unseen yet fully exposed before God.
The weight of my pain crashed over me, and for the first time, I allowed myself to break. I fell to my knees, crying out in agony. A servant of God approached and prayed over me, asking Jesus to give me a new heart. In that moment, something inside me shifted—a wave of warmth, love, and grace poured into me. I wept, but now in joy. For the first time, I felt loved, free, and truly seen.
Even after that transformative night, my struggles didn’t disappear. I battled depression, post-traumatic stress, and the scars of my past. But Jesus had a plan greater than my pain. That plan led me to Grace Medical Home—a place that became my refuge, my second chance.
From my very first visit, I noticed something different. At Grace, doctors and staff didn’t just treat symptoms—they treated souls. They saw me as a person, not a problem. Their kindness, patience, and faith reflected the love of Christ in ways I had never experienced before. They spoke of Jesus not just in words but in actions, in the smallest details of their care.
To those at Grace Medical Home, I want to say this: Many of us who walk through your doors have never been treated with dignity before. Some of us don’t know how to respond to kindness because we've never known it. But believe me when I say, we see the light you bring into the darkness. We feel the grace of Jesus through your hands and your hearts.
One day, Jesus saved me in a supernatural way. And now, He has saved me again through your love and care. Thank you for being His hands and feet. Thank you for reminding me—and so many others—that we are not forgotten. A small light in the darkness can change everything. And because of you, I have found my way home.
Matthew 25:35-40
