The people in our lives have a profound impact us. For better or worse, we are deeply shaped by those with which we share a life. Bad relationships can entangle us in uncomfortable circumstances, but a good relationship can be the key to undoing the mess we’ve made.

Peggy Johnson is a fixture of the Brookside Community. She has been a consistent presence for years. But before Peggy found Brookside, life was just one challenge after another. “I probably was a total mess. I pretty much didn’t make good decisions.” She shakes her head as she remembers and continues. “I was in a relationship where I was very uncomfortable,” mentioning her ex-husband who was physically and emotionally abusive. In short, things were bad and getting worse.

A few years into their marriage, Peggy’s husband was sent to jail and she was left struggling to make ends meet. Suffering from food scarcity and barely able to feed her four children, she was desperate for a change. In search of food, she decided to come to Brookside Community Church. There she received food assistance and met staff members who listened to her story. Not only was she in need of food, she also needed a place to live. “I had to move because I was about to be put out,” she said.

Peggy began to attend Brookside Church regularly and soon met Brookside Community Housing director, Landon Martin. When he heard about her need for new housing, he invited her to apply for the housing program. She applied and was approved, making Peggy and her kids the first family to live in Brookside Community Housing. Stable housing brought a newfound peace to Peggy’s life. She was less distracted and free to assess her life as she began to build relationships with Brookside staff. She says, “They were helping me and pulling me out of, like I say, the gutters. Helping me know how to do better, live better, and do more for my kids.”

 She felt compelled to get more involved and began volunteering with Brookside Community Play. Chuckling she says, “I just kept coming in and volunteering, and volunteering. I kept coming in and working every day, kitchen, housing, other stuff.” Her reliable work ethic was recognized and soon she was put on the payroll as head of the kitchen. In the process, she transitioned from government dependence to independence—a freedom that continues to build in her hope for her future. In other words, she was empowered.

As she continued to volunteer in various roles at Brookside, she started to recognize the needs of others. She knew that she had something that she could offer them. In Brookside Community Reentry, she was joyful when people made progress in their addiction recovery and saw new hope dawn for people returning from jail and prison. In the kitchen, she says, “Seeing people eat and their families eat makes me feel good inside and makes me want to keep on coming,” she pauses and says,” I love my job.”

Peggy’s situation shows that stable housing gained through intentional relationships creates potential that extends beyond the confines of a dwelling place. She gained freedom, purpose, and discipleship all by her willingness to be known by Brookside.

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