“I had reached a point where I had crossed off a lot of things I wanted to accomplish and I wondered what was next. I knew there had to be more to life,” she said.
“I was focused on my career and personal life. I wanted to succeed in these things and when I did, that was great. But now what? I had to learn there was more to life than me.”
When you invest in other people, there is such a great return on your investment”
When you invest in other people, there is such a great return on your investment”
A graduate of Northwestern State University with a degree in accounting, Lauren’s search for deeper meaning led her to a Young Professionals social event, which led to new friendships with a few Community Renewal staff members. She got involved with the YoPros who were partnering with a CRI Friendship House and she joined the Women of Community Renewal. In February, she was one of the featured speakers for the Women’s Valentine’s Luncheon.
“I learned the value of serving. My focus shifted from me to those around me and the community,” said Lauren, 28, who is a portfolio manager at Business First Bank.
“I had to learn to let go of things and trust God and focus more on serving others. My perspective shifted as I learned to trust God completely. I love a quote from John Piper (pastor and author) that says the really wonderful moments of joy in this world are not moments of self-satisfaction, but moments of self-forgetfulness. That’s a key. There is so much joy in serving.”
Lauren and her husband, Micah, an accountant, have served together at the Friendship House a couple of times, helping teens with homework in chemistry, math and other subjects. Lauren helps with the Croquet Classic and other YoPro events, like the youth Christmas party.
“When you invest in other people, there is such a great return on your investment. When you hear how deeply you affect someone’s life, that’s just huge,” she said.
Lauren, who now actively encourages her friends to learn more about Community Renewal, said her whole outlook has changed since she got involved more than a year ago.
“I feel more connected with my community and more invested in my neighborhood. Before Community Renewal, we didn’t know any of our neighbors, and now we know the majority of the people on our street. We are building neighborhood in our community and that’s rewarding,” she said.
Her greatest joy, though, is seeing the smiles on the faces of the youth in inner-city neighborhoods who have so many challenges in their lives.
“I see Community Renewal invested in areas where we have some of our biggest problems and making a difference. We are seeing lives changed and impacted,” she said. “Once you see the work of Community Renewal, there is no doubting the impact it has. It’s huge, for both those on the receiving end and those on the serving end.”
