How Does a Champion of Life Ministry Compare to a Hydrangea?
A multi-generational family. A young mother, her parents, and the star? She was a pretty little blond-haired baby girl – looking everywhere but at the camera, I drew from my own “mom arsenal” and quickly entered into the “mother-ese”, high-pitched, “make two syllables out of one” language that gains the attention of small children. I started singing, “Bla – ir, don’t you want to look at my cam – era?” Success! Before long, we had several cute shots, and the family moved toward the ballroom.
It was the evening for the Coastline Women’s Center fundraiser, the Spring to Life Gala 2022, an important milestone in the life of the ministry. They were celebrating 10 years, and just as the Champions for Life theme and balloon wall lifted high hopes, I felt I had a role as photographer – to lift spirits and not quench The Spirit. Therefore, I wanted to offer a high-energy photo op before supporters entered the event. I was excited and looking for every chance to tell the story of this amazing ministry in images.
A pause. It did not last long, but there was a short break in guest arrivals in the hour before the start of the gala. I had time to look around for candid opportunities…for moments. There it was – a smile…a heartfelt embrace! I captured a few shots, looked at the back of my camera, and smiled – not having any idea about the significance. I went back to greeting and photographing the guests, until the start of the event.
As the gala began to unfold, I started telling the story, as I love to do, by capturing joy – memorializing the emotions of the attendees. A presentation started on the screen, and as I sat to watch, my breath stopped as I saw the faces before me. A young mother named Cheyenne was giving her testimony and sharing how Coastline changed her life. She was holding her little blond-haired, wide-eyed baby girl…Blair. My eyes filled with tears as I realized that the images I had captured by that balloon wall just a short time before might not have been possible, had it not been for Coastline Women’s Center and for the grace of God, giving Cheyenne the strength to heed His call and keep her baby.
I looked at my program. It was time for the first of two award recipients. I turned in my chair. More tears came. Again, it took my breath to see the gentleman rising from his table and walking forward to be honored for supporting the ministry from the beginning – with his heartfelt hugs and so much more. I recognized him from the candid pictures in the foyer, where he and Jeannie warmly embraced and lovingly greeted one another. I knew it was no accident I caught that moment. Throughout the service, it was heartwarming to see the partner testimonies and to hear stories like that of the other award recipient, who facilitates medical services, and know how much love is poured into this ministry.
The Spring to Life Gala 2022 was so special. Perhaps it can be better understood using the various symbolic meanings associated with the purple hydrangea, the flower for the evening, as a metaphor for Coastline Women Center’s work. Regret/sorrow is one symbol associated with the bloom. Those feelings exist for the many innocent lives that have been lost to abortion, and they were remembered there. The foundation of this ministry was built on another symbol, humility, because of Jeannie’s willingness to kneel before the Lord, surrender to His will for her life, and share her story to allow God to turn Shattered into Beautiful. Deep understanding is represented in the gala’s theme, “Champions for Life”, which I thought only a simply appropriate title, until I listened to her story about a letter her Daddy wrote to her. After his passing, God used her Daddy’s words, describing his perception of Jeannie as a “Champion”, to reassure her of his spiritual condition. Jeannie took this experience to inspire all of us in attendance to kneel before the Lord and surrender to Him to gain the strength to get back on our feet to become a Champion for Christ. Devotion, another symbolic meaning of the flower, is represented by the life of service that the Smith family lives every day. Carter, Jeannie, and Luke love the ministry and love the work of it. Finally, the hydrangea represents abundance. God has abundantly blessed Coastline Women’s Center in His provision and with faithful people. The board, the staff, volunteers, parents who choose life and who are willing to grow in the Lord and in parenting abilities, and finally, the supporters who give sacrificially – monetarily and in prayer – all make this work possible. Abundance is also represented in the belief for what God is going to provide – to further His work for the Kingdom through the work of this ministry. Like the hydrangea in bloom, this ministry is beautiful.
Coastline Women’s Center Board
Coastline Women’s Center Staff
Thank you, Coastline Women’s Center, for allowing me to be an intimate part of this special occasion – celebrating what God has done and believing Him for what He is going to do. I was honored to be with you! I am reminded of a song that I sing when I am touched by people who do the Lord’s work. One day, you will learn how many souls have been impacted by what you do:
“Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am a life that was changed
Thank you for giving to the Lord
I am so glad you gave…” by Ray Boltz
Blessings ~
Lisa