The Power of Love

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we have gone through previous articles to highlight our history. The article below was originally published on August 17th, 2017. I find it just as profound and relevant today as I did in 2017.

In light of so much division in our country today…. it is especially heartwarming when one of our young adults share the love and teachings they learned while living at Collins Children’s Home.

I want to share what one of our alumni wrote on her Facebook page.

I do not know if I would have been able to get away from that hate if I didn't end up in a foster home. I'm not sure what kind of person I would have turned out to be.

When I Was Younger, I Was Taught to Hate...

“When I was younger, I was taught to hate anyone with a different color skin and beliefs than mine. The thing is that I didn't really understand enough to have my own beliefs...

I knew what I was taught, but even as a little girl, I was a free spirit.

I have never held any hate in my heart for anyone. When I was 6 and went to a group foster home, those teachings changed.

That is something I am most grateful for...even before then like I said, I never held any hate I would even argue with my family as a little girl about the mean things they would say.

Escaped the Hate and Taught to Love

I do not know if I would have been able to get away from that hate if I didn't end up in a foster home. I'm not sure what kind of person I would have turned out to be. It's hard to imagine me hating anyone based on something as petty as skin color.

This is what I do know, I was lucky enough to escape the hate and be taught love. I know that to be in Christ means to love everyone...and to show love to the people that have hurt me most and to those who have this hate in their hearts.

My Heart is Hurting for my Family of Color Dealing with This Hate

I have this overwhelming feeling of heartbreak for children and adults that were taught this hate and are missing out on the bigger picture of what life is about and missing out on so many blessings because of that hate. I feel for anyone hurt because of this hate.

My heart is hurting for my family of color that have dealt with this hate their whole life and for my future kids that have to grow up in a world where they will be judged on their skin color, not their heart.

I'm Proud to Stand On the Side of Love and Against Injustice

But with all those feelings I also feel proud! I am proud of who I am, I am proud to have family and friends that have so much strength and have been fighting this lifetime battle of hate based on their skin color. I am proud that my future children will be born into a family with so much strength and support. I’m proud to stand on the side of love and to speak against any injustice that has been done to ANYONE!”

Collins Home Stands by Those Same Principles

I am thankful for the years Joe & Anne Rackley were able to show the love of Christ by example to this young lady. I am thankful for our staff today at Collins Home that stands by those same principles. It is my prayer that every child grows up in a home filled with love and not hate.

You Can Make a Difference in a Child's Life

You can make a difference in a Collins Home child's life in many ways. Learn more by visiting our Get Involved page. or you can join us for this year's BBQ dinner on October 3, 2020.