In 1991 my marriage fell apart. I was left with no money and a lot of pain. It was the kind of emotional pain where you're certainly not in a position to give to anyone else. I had given my life to Jesus some years back, and I was clinging to Him for all I was worth.
About 3 am one morning something new broke in. I don't know whether to call I a dream of a vision. I was awake so I will call it a vision. I saw a picture of the Lower Room as it is today, People were coming to get clothes for their children. There were shelves of clothing all over and a sign titled: The Lower Room. I got up and went to the garage, found a piece of plywood and some paint, and painted the sign that hangs at the bottom of the stairs. It took me a while to hang it, but by faith, I did it.
The basement hadn't been touched in 25 years, and it was awful. I said something like this to God: "Not down here Lord, but if this is You, go for it and I will follow."
The next month brought the beginning of surprising events. My landlord asked if I would clean and paint the basement and take what I had earned off my rent. I needed the money badly, so without saying one word to him or anyone else about the vision I had,, I cleaned up and scraped all the cement walls and floor and painted everything. Two weeks later, I thought to myself, "if I ask my landlord for this space for a ministry, it will be a big test. It is his house, and he'd have to be okay with this whole thing." I asked and he said, "yes."
It seemed so easy after this. Shelves, screens and curtains began to come my way, costing m nothing. I started telling people about my "plan", and donations of clothing began coming in. I still had nothing for newborns. The next month, much to my delight, New Life Family Services called and asked if I'd take all their infant clothes because they needed space.
People in need started to come, and I began to give and love and work in the Lower Room. It occurred to me after a couple of years that God in His mercy put me in a position where all self-pity and concern went out the window. How unlike man He is. Now, I was meeting people in many different situations. Some in crisis, some very poor, other just low income. Mostly moms come, but some dads and grandma's also come. I began meeting people from agencies who brought those in their service. I was introduced to all races, colors and creeds.
One thing seemed clear to me. He wanted all who came to see that He loved them, and that He was a God who cared about their every need. He is a personal God. It seemed clear that He wanted to draw people to Himself.
I want to share something that happened about the second year of the Lower Room ministry. One night at church the pastor who heads Teen Challenge came to speak. He didn't know me or anything about me. After he spoke I asked if he would pray for me. He took my hands and began praying, and as he prayed he shared a picture he was seeing. He said he saw me kneeling at God's feet and giving Him clothing. I began to cry because I knew that no one could have told him this except God. It was so encouraging and confirming to me. Since tat time many more words have been given to me about the Lower Room, many from those that have no knowledge about it or me.
Over the years, I've had many wonderful experiences, becoming friends with the moms and workers. I've also had lots of trials. I want to mention one of these because it was one of the hardest. From time to time, someone would come that would just bug me. I wanted to ask them to leave. My attitude was terrible an I knew I couldn't deal with them. So I prayed, I asked Jesus for His love for them and to let me see them as He did. Within a year I was actually loving these same people. My heart was all changed.
My marriage never got restored, but God has given me His plan for my days. I've seen Him touch people and families, and I want to see more. I've seen many small miracles and I want to see more. The quality of clothing has increased. Everything is based n donations. I believe He wants to do more than give people clothes. I am asking Him for more. My deep desire is for all who come to meet Him. He has a plan for each one of our lives. He turns tragedy, broken dreams and lost hope into satisfactions, security and surprises. As He did for me, He will do for you.
One day, all of our needs and situations here on this earth will end. It's really quite short down here... I can say this now! The One who started the Lower Room and who loves you and me says in Revelations 21: "Now, the dwelling of God is with men, and He will love with them. They will be His people and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
The welcome mat is out for anyone who wants to come to the Lower Room. The welcome mat is also out for those who want to come to Jesus. The Lower Room will give you quality clothes for your family. Jesus will give you the gift of life and unending salvation.
~Margie
