Anita Septimus has worker as a social worker for HIV-infected children since 1985. In the first few months she worked with her tiny clients, three of them died. Despair began to overwhelm her. She made a commitment to stick with the job for three more months, during which time she could not get a friend's words out of her thoughts, "You have not chosen a pretty profession."
She had to admit her friend was right. It took resolve to accept that fact and simply do what she could to help families make the most of what remained of their children's lives. She is still there.
Over the last ten years, her clinic has grown considerable. Today, Anita and her staff care for more than 300 families with AIDS children. They go into their homes, teach infection prevention, and help parents plan for the future.
One AIDS baby wasn't expected to see her first birthday, but she recently celebrated her tenth. Such "long-term" clients give back to Anita what she terms "an indestructible sense of hope" --a precious gift!
When you make a commitment to sow hope into the lives of others, you will reap back tremendous hope for your own life.
So if you find life difficult because you're doing what God said, take it in stride. Trust him. He knows what he's doing, and he'll keep on doing it. 1 Peter 4:19.
Archbishop Danette M. Scott, Ph.D. A Ray of Hope Minstries Christian Center Sr. Pastor/Founder www.AROHMCC.org
