Barbara Comito, former marketing director
5 min read
Gratitude in Recovery
One of UGM’s core values is Thankfulness, and this month we reflect on the pursuit of gratitude in our day-to-day lives and in the work of healing...
This is part of a series on UGM's Core Values. Read a variety of staff members' musings on God-dependence, Christ-likeness, Pursuing Excellence, Thankfulness and Total Accountability. Next up, Unified Teamwork.
UGM Core Value #4 - Life Transformation
Broken and dysfunctional people are often caught in a self-destructive cycle from which they cannot seem to break free. They may seem to do really well for a while but then fall back into the old patterns.
They may not know they have the ability to break the cycle, or they may not believe they deserve to change. Whatever the reason, in order for them be changed, they need to learn practical steps to stop the cycle.
Most significantly, they will have to develop a new concept of themselves: a new internal image in which they see themselves as healthy, productive, and constructive.
Addictions and other dysfunctional behaviors are very often passed from one generation to the next. Children are imprinted with the behaviors modeled by their parents and learn how to navigate the world and life based on childhood family dynamics. They need to have a new internal image of who they are in Christ and what they can do in life through Him.
Life transformation can begin when people realize that there is another way to live and believe a healthy, happy life is possible for them. Usually this process involves small steps forward with occasional steps backward.
It is important to understand that with every setback, earlier progress is not lost. Learning occurs all along the way, and change is a process. Discouragement must be continually resisted and successes strongly celebrated.
The grace of God, the Word of God, and reliance on the guidance of the Holy Spirit are essential to the life-transformation process. Support from a strong, loving faith community that provides a stable and accepting environment while requiring accountability is also necessary.
True life transformation can come with these ingredients, as well as patience and perseverance. The result can impact not only the individual but the generations to come.
~ Kathleen Wilson, Resident Advisor, UGM Women's Recovery at Anna Ogden Hall
3 min read
A Pathfinder Responding to the Call from God
by Daniel Dailey, UGM volunteer I used to think, “If I’m going to be involved with anything like UGM, it needs to be effective.” The Holy Spirit...
4 min read
World Homeless Day
Every year on October 10, people around the world take a day to acknowledge the needs of those in their communities facing homelessness, and we...
Core Values: Total Accountability
Union Gospel Mission : August 22, 2013
Kathleen Wilson, a Resident Advisor at Anna Ogden Hall, chose three of UGM's core values and wrote a short essay that untangles the meaning and depth...
A One-Word Resolution
Barbara Comito, former marketing director : December 31, 2012
Have you heard about the My One Word project? Tired of the inevitable failure of their New Year’s resolutions, the authors came up with the idea of...
Independence or God-dependence?
Union Gospel Mission : December 19, 2012
By Dan McLellan, UGM Men's Shelter Day Room Manager God-dependence, the first of UGM’s established core values, sets us apart from many other...