HOPE 50 JULY 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition C In last month's Good News article, It Is Time for a Tasting, I reflected on Psalm 34:8, where David invites us to "taste and see that the Lord is good." This verse is both an invitation and a challenge. It calls us to experience God's goodness personally and then share that goodness with others. But what does God's goodness actually look like? For many people, God's goodness is easiest to recognize during seasons of abundance. We see it in answered prayers, restored relationships, new opportunities and unexpected blessings. Yet Scripture often reveals God's goodness most clearly during times of struggle. Psalm 34 itself is a powerful example. David wrote this psalm as a song of praise and thanksgiving after God delivered him from a life-threatening situation involving King Saul and Abimelech. Rather than focusing on his fears, David chose to celebrate God's faithfulness. Witnessing God’s goodness At HOPE South Florida, we have the privilege of witnessing that faithfulness every day. We walk alongside families facing homelessness and help them see that there is a path forward, one that goes beyond merely surviving to thriving, flourishing and embracing the future God has for them. God's goodness has a face. It is the mother who finds safety after fleeing domestic violence. It is the parent who worked tirelessly while living in a car and finally receives the keys to a stable home. It is the child who sleeps peacefully in a bed instead of the back seat of a vehicle. It is the volunteer who gives up a Saturday morning to prepare welcome baskets for families they have never met. It is the church congregation that sees homelessness not as someone else's problem but as an opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ in a way that only the Body of Christ can. One of the beautiful realities of God's goodness is that He often chooses to express it through His people. What a privilege it is to be part of that work. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus tells His followers, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Those words remind us that serving others is not simply charity or volunteerism. It is worship Today, that mission continues through hundreds of supporters, volunteers, churches, donors and community partners who faithfully answer God's call to serve. Every time hope is restored after an eviction, every case management appointment, every prayer offered and every family housed becomes a visible expression of God's love and faithfulness. Blessed with the freedom to serve others As our nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we have an opportunity to reflect on the many blessings we enjoy as Americans. We celebrate the freedoms secured by those who came before us, including the freedom to worship, serve and live out our faith openly. Yet anniversaries are not only a time for celebration. They are also a time for reflection. As followers of Christ, we are reminded that true freedom extends beyond political liberty. The greatest freedom is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ, who frees us from sin, fear and hopelessness. That freedom should move us to action. In a nation blessed with abundance and opportunity, we are called to ensure that our neighbors are not forgotten. Whether it is a single mother trying to rebuild her life following a tragedy or a child facing uncertainty, we have the privilege and responsibility of being ambassadors of God's love. One of the ways we honor the freedoms we celebrate is by using them to serve others. When we extend compassion, offer hope and stand alongside those in need, we reflect both the values upon which our nation was founded and the Gospel that transforms lives. Most of us will never stand before a giant like Goliath or flee for our lives as David did. Yet every day we are presented with opportunities to participate in God's work and help others overcome the giants they face. We can encourage someone who is discouraged. We can extend grace while lovingly holding people accountable. We can support a family in crisis. We can serve in our local church. We can give generously. We can pray faithfully. We can choose to see people the way Jesus sees them. When we do, we become part of someone's testimony. Perhaps that is one of the greatest lessons of Psalm 34. David did not keep God's goodness to himself. He proclaimed it so that others could experience it as well. That invitation remains just as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago when David first penned these words. There are still people searching for hope. There are still families longing for stability. There are still neighbors waiting to experience the love of Christ through His people. The question is not whether God is good. We know that He is, and His Word declares it. The question is whether we are willing to help others see and experience His goodness for themselves. May we continue to be people who not only taste and see that the Lord is good, but who help others do the same. Serving families since 1995, HOPE South Florida exists to be a HOPE-filled community — keeping families together, offering compassionate care, and guiding them toward holistic life change. Under the leadership of President Joseph D. Kenner, we remain committed to ending family homelessness in Broward County by building communities that empower families to become resilient and independent. To learn more about HOPE South Florida, get involved, or support a family in crisis, visit hopesouthflorida.org. - Joseph D. Kenner - President, HOPE South Florida When God's Goodness Has a Face Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. – Matthew 25:40 “ ”
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