She was just released from the hospital after a month-long stay in a coma, a drug addict hooker. Her first weekend out found her in a nearby city, in a hotel with a guy and his wife/girlfriend. “P” found herself in the middle of their argument and split the hotel, looking for another John so she could get another fix.

A man picked her up and drove her to our little town and dropped her off without getting any “favors”. She was looking for her next ride when she heard someone call out her name. It was a man she’s known for a long time. He offered to buy her breakfast, then instead invited her to join him at our church, because we’d have coffee and donuts.

“P” was barely dressed and looked very much like what she was: a strung out drug-addict hooker. So, she took this challenge to go with this guy to our church, because she was going to prove to him once and for all just how judgmental and hateful his church people would be to her. She KNEW how they would look down their noses at her and turn from her considering her attire.

When she walked in the door, she was welcomed, escorted to the coffee, given donuts and talked to like she was somebody. She soon after gave up her drugs and her prostitution and accepted Christ. Two years later, she’s helping other addicts find their way and will begin soon going into the jail once a month to share Bible study with them.

There is MUCH to be said for accepting people just like they are.