Sometimes the most powerful gift is one that we've already received. What if the result of your hardest experience could become a positive lifeline or generous gift for someone else?
How many times have you ended up talking about the latest ‘thing’ that everyone has simply got to experience? “I can’t believe you haven’t tried it!” you say in disbelief. And what do you do next? Well, if you like them and you’re feeling generous, you pay it forward. You buy them those incredible chocolate covered custard creams (seriously, I kid you not, they are worth every penny). You get them that ‘it’ll change your life’ gadget. You want to share the joy. You want them to experience what you have experienced. You pay it forward.
It’s a similar kind of generosity that we get to see at Restored. But people aren’t sharing fads. We see survivors pay it forward with our Survivors Handbooks.
Here’s the great thing about our handbooks. It’s like having 24/7 access to a domestic abuse support group. It is brimming with specialist advice about a whole range of issues facing survivors.
We don’t charge survivors to access resources like the Handbook – we want to make sure they can always access this support for free. But the truth is, it does come at a cost! Some of this money comes from our incredible regular givers and other donors. But some comes from survivors paying it forward.
At our conference this year, I was really moved when a survivor who had benefited from the handbook chose to ‘pay forward’, buying a copy for us to give to another survivor at the start of their journey. This simple act of generosity beautifully captures what Restored is all about: we want to change the story for women, empowering them to empower others and reflect our mission from Judges 19:30.
Picture a marathon race. Hundreds of people pushing on, considering giving up, struggling with pain, straining towards the end. Recovering from domestic abuse is like a marathon, and the survivors we support are at different stages along the course. When a survivor gifts a handbook, it is like a runner at mile 20 throwing energy bars and bottles of water back to a runner at mile 5. She cheers her on: “Keep going, you will get there! This helped me – it will help you too.”
Our survivors give where they have received. They give their time, money, wisdom and encouragement in an amazing community of mutual support and hope. They pay it forward again and again.
How could you pay it forward today?
Becky Watson Lee, Restored
Reflect
"Everyone who saw it was saying to one another, “Such a thing has never been seen or done, not since the day the Israelites came up out of Egypt. Just imagine! We must do something! So speak up!” Judges 19:30 (NIV)
Pray
Pray for survivors of domestic abuse as they navigate their journey of healing, that they may find hope, support, and restoration. Thank God for the generosity of those who ‘pay it forward’, sharing resources, encouragement, and wisdom to lift others up. Pray for organisations like Restored, that they would have the provision and strength to continue offering vital support. Ask God to inspire you with ways to pay His love forward today, bringing hope and joy to those in need.
Act
Acts for you to consider today:
| Paint a rock with a word of encouragement and leave it on a park bench. Mark it with #40acts | ||
| Create a board with tear-off paper strips so people can take away an encouraging message. | ||
| Buy a bench and (with the right permissions) put it in a public place. Leave a sign on it encouraging people to sit and chat. |
Share
Follow 40acts on our socials! Don't miss out as we share reaction to the 40acts movement every day during Lent.
About Restored
Restored want to see a network of churches that stand against abuse, providing a safe refuge for survivors, nurturing them back to health and demonstrating God's deep love for them. Abuse robs men, women and children of their identity, security and value. Support Restored want to give it back.
Together we can change the story for women, giving them dignity and fresh hope.
