Friday, March 02, 2012

Searching

It is a long story, but as I type it appears C is barefoot, penniless and without phone or ID on the streets of Atlanta.

She was committed to an involuntary psychiatric hold last Friday to a place in south Atlanta. Once her 72 hours were up and she was "stable" she was allowed to sign herself out. The staff from the facility took her to a downtown shelter Tuesday night with the two paper sacks of belongings she had and dropped her off.

Because of a complicated history that it would not be appropriate to share here, some instability in her was triggered at the shelter. She acted out in a disruptive way and was threatened with expulsion. The last contact we had with her was when she called my friend, Gretta, who runs the group home in a panic and said, "Please come get me before I am turned out, alone, onto the streets of downtown Atlanta."

Gretta was able to compel the staff to show mercy and C spent Tuesday night at the shelter. Wednesday morning, Gretta received a call that C had been unstable and disorderly again that morning and had been escorted from the premises by police. She was not arrested, just forced to leave.

In her confused state, she left behind her two bags of clothes and her shoes. She walked away barefoot with nothing (literally) but the clothes on her back. It has been 24 hours with no word from her.

I am angry at a system that has let this young woman down and literally dropped a fragile life off in an unsafe area to fend for herself.
I fear that she is in mental crisis somewhere unable to recall our phone numbers.
I pray no one has taken advantage of her in this vulnerable state.
I hope we find her today.
I believe nothing is without hope and anything can be restored.

I have been so 'confused at' God. Not mad. Just sad. Not really doubting, but so unable to reconcile why there are lives like this precious young woman's who, like Job, are marked by so much pain--while I get to live a life of relative blessing and ease.

Every homeless person I have passed on the street this week has been a stark reminder that they, too, were once 19. Many of them had a point in their early 20s where their mental illness or addiction seemed to take over their lives and leave them wrecked and on the streets. Many of them almost certainly had families and/or friends who loved them and whose hearts were broken as it happened.

I have found that in the difficult chapters of life I can find peace without having all the answers. I have learned that trust and faith means not being dependent on the knowledge of how it is all going to turn out. I am trying to center my efforts instead on what I can learn today. I have been searching for some lesson from all this--some reminder of the Gospel and God's Grace.

Yesterday, I got a glimpse as an army of facebook friends and volunteers from various homeless and street ministries aligned to get C's picture distributed in the areas of downtown Atlanta where she may turn up. Last night I had 13 e-mail from concerned people, many of whom I have never met, who had been canvassing the streets in search of this sweet girl.

C has no family to speak of, but she literally had dozens of people working to rescue her... and she has no idea.

I thought of all the times in life when I have felt alone, forgotten and abandoned and how God was at work on my behalf--I just didn't know it. And as e-mails, texts and calls rolled in from people whose hearts are burdened for this young woman they've never met, I thought, THIS is the love of God. This is godly compassion. This is the body caring for 'the least of these.'

I am going today to look for her. I confess that it is as much for myself as it is for her. I want desperately to find her and get her the help she needs to stabilize her mental health--and I want to hug her and tell her that she was never alone or forgotten. People were burdened and searching and caring--even when she had no idea.

Every life matters--the broken, the sick, the victimized, the lost, the sad. Every. single. one.

16 comments:

Jenn said...

Oh, this brings tears to my eyes. I am so sad for her. You're right - God has not forgotten her. He knows right where she is. I will be praying for her today and for you as you search for her. Godspeed.

Perri said...

C is so blessed to have you and so many others that care. I will join your prayer warriors who are praying for her safe rescue and responsible follow up care.

Love Being A Nonny said...

Praying today that as you search for C, you will find peace in your own heart about her situation. I too, feel like the system failed her. So very sad. Please let us know........

Marti said...

I pray that you find C. I hope that somewhere deep within her she feels that little thought that God loves her. Wishing you success.

MtnGirl said...

Jen, I will pray that you find C and she will be willing to get further help and assistance to get her life back on track. God will NOT let her go! (And He is using you and the others to show her that!)

Denice said...

Praying for C and that God leads you to her today.

Anonymous said...

This brought tears to my eyes this morning. I have thought of you and C many times today. Praying that she will be able to used this one day as part of her testimony.
Thank you for being obedient and ministering to these young ladies. God will reward you!

Paige said...

I've been praying for both of you all day. Please update when you get a chance. You are such a blessing to C and to us, your readers.

Unknown said...

Just read this for the first time, Jennifer. Praying down here in the Lowcountry. Love your heart!

--Ben

Brinkley's Mommy said...

I'm praying that C is safe and that she will be found soon. It breaks my heart to hear her story. I am so glad she has you and others who care about her and who are determined to help her.

Unknown said...

Praying for you - your family as you follow the leading of the Holy Spirit - those searching for C, wherever she may be - those who may have found her, that they are compassionate and reach out to her with the Lord's hand - and of course C - that the Lord would reach into her heart and remind her who He is - that He is in control of her and everything that is happening to and around her - that He loved/loves her so much he died for her.

sl said...

Praying for C. Praying for you and other as you search for her. Praying God will hold her in his precious care until you'll can find her. She is so lucky to have frineds like you'll.

Kristi said...

Praying for this young lady. You too!!

dee said...

I am praying that you have found her. Keep us posted,please.

LaQuetha said...

Jesus we ask in this very moment that C will be found. We ask that your protect and Lord we ask that she remembers the number of her friends and call them. Lord I cry out on your behalf for this one that you love so dearly.

I just cried and prayed for you and your family Jen, the countless people searching for C and for C.

Laura said...

Unfortunately this is the case for so many people who suffer with mental illness. The cracks in the system are HUGE!! Praying for C and for you. I know from experience the heartbreak of this situation.