Meet Pam Tribble

By Jon Hagen and Pam Tribble

 

I am a single mom who came with my 13 year-old son to Grace Harbor Counseling Ministries because our relationship was deteriorating. [Our counselor] began to build a relationship with me and my son. It soon became clear to me that this was not the typical type of counseling that I was familiar with in the past.

 

This is the testimony of a single parent who came to Grace Harbor earlier this year. Her name is Pam Tribble; Jacob is her thirteen year-old son. When Pam and Jacob first started coming to Grace Harbor, their entrance was common and very ordinary. Like many whose lives are out of control, it seemed the sensible thing to do was to impose a heavier hand. Pam writes, “I thought that tough love was what my son needed.”

 

Pam and 5 of her children. Jacob is 3rd from right.

 

But that was not the prescription. Pam and Jacob’s story is hope-filled because it points to a greater story still unfolding, a segment of which will forever transform the way Jacob and his mother live. In the twelfth chapter of the Gospel of John, Jesus is approaching the city of Jerusalem. As Jesus walks up toward the city, many people begin shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD, even the King of Israel” (v. 13). The masses of people had great expectations for Jesus; they wanted to enthrone him in the desire that Jesus would help overthrow the Roman occupation and become a ruler of their own persuasion.

 

Many refer to this passage of Scripture in John 12 as, “The Triumphal Entry”. While the throng of people thought they were witnessing such an entry, Jesus quickly corrects that idea by getting up on a donkey and riding it the rest of the way into the city. The LORD is challenging everyone’s notion of the nature of His kingdom by finishing His trip into Jerusalem riding on a lowly beast of burden instead of on a warhorse. In short order Jesus will be ushered out of Jerusalem not as a king but as the sacrificial Lamb of God. The Messiah is teaching us that His triumph is not in His entry but in His exit. The point is this: before we can honor Christ as the reigning King we must honor Him as the slain Lamb. The order is critical. Jesus’ humiliation precedes and prepares His exaltation.

 

The pattern Jesus gives us, humility prior to and in preparation of honor, holds true in Grace Harbor’s counseling. Pam continues,

Everything at Grace Harbor was Christ-centered and we were taught through the Scriptures. [Jacob] really needed to know that I am human like him and as an adult I still struggle with sin. I have learned that I must forgive my son and make sure that my heart is right before God before I approach him and I must realize that I am a sinner just like my son. God has been merciful to me and as a Christian I must be willing to show mercy to my son. When I discipline my son, I know now that I should do it with love in my heart, not anger. It is wonderful to see how our relationship is being rebuilt. We still run into tough situations, but now I know I must come to my son in humility, one sinner to another forgiving each other over and over again.

Other similar stories could be shared from this past year at Grace Harbor. It is simply a mercy from the LORD that we have the privilege to help lead people to Christ and His work of grace. Christ’s way to the good life is in Himself; the good life comes to us as we live in a Scripture-guided relationship with Him. As an evidence of God’s grace at work in the Tribble’s home, Pam continues,

I also want to tell you all how things have changed in our home. My thirteen year-old son is now helping his siblings to seek God when they are struggling with sin in their own lives. It is amazing to watch God work in his life. I also now know how to better serve all my children through the Godly parenting skills that I was taught. I came to Grace Harbor with very little hope and now I know that there is hope and that God cares for my family and will always be there for us.

When Pam came to Grace Harbor seeking help, we didn’t ask her to pay for our services. As a single, stay-at-home mother, she was in no position to incur another weekly expense. Our way around that, as it has been for the last ten years, is to appeal to you to partner with us in our labor. Whatever support you can provide is of great help to numbers of others like Pam and Jacob. Again, Pam writes,

I want to thank all of you who support Grace Harbor Counseling Ministries through your finances. When I came to Grace Harbor I knew that I could not afford to pay for the sessions, but I also knew that my son and I were desperate for help. Grace Harbor graciously served us and it did not matter that we could not pay. What mattered was that we needed help. And because of your willingness to give we were able to receive the counseling we needed. God worked through Grace Harbor and gave my son and me another chance. I am forever grateful.

We make this appeal in the hope that your giving begins by supporting your local church. That is of first priority in God’s economy. We also understand there are many other worthy charities also asking for your help. If you would consider Grace Harbor to be among those you consider worthy of your support, we would be most grateful. Thank you so much.

 

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be upon you, and give you peace.

 

Jon Hagen and Rick Thomas