Imagine if  . . . a girl was born to parents who were very poor and did not want a child. The girl was told that she would never amount to anything; she would be a failure in everything she tried. Later, the unloved girl looked for love wherever she could find it. Add a child or two, then single-parenthood; she was alone with her children. She had failed.

Imagine if  . . . as an adult with children the girl thinks that she doesn't have any choices except to follow the same path of her parents. She will live her life in constant struggle and has condemned the children she loves to the same fate. She has no hope.

Imagine if  . . . someone opened a door, welcomed the girl in and told her not to listen to the voice of defeat. That she is a unique and special individual capable of achieving her wildest dreams if she is willing to work hard. That same person tells her, "I will hold your hand and show you how." She walks through that door frightened, but determined to change her life.

Imagine if . . . her children walk through that door too and stare in wonder at the safe new world. They have food, clothing and shelter. The children shyly smile in awe, for through this door is a life that allows them to be children for the short time they are still young.

Imagine if  . . . the children now look at their mother and see a strength they had not seen before; their mother is 'someone' of worth. She walks with new-found confidence that comes from success and holds her head high. The girl, born of failure, broke the chains of poverty that kept her family hostage. Never to return.

Imagine if . . . you could be someone who opens that door. 

Would you?

Help Lazarus House open doors out of poverty by participating in the Hike for Hope. The Hike funds more than 91% of  the Capernaum Place transitional housing annual budget. Register to walk at www.hikeforhope.org