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Kyle West Story-Truth Project
Why would God use a boy with cerebral palsy? That’s what 7 year-old Kyle West asked. Now 18, God has used Kyle in incredible ways, including on The Truth Project. Despite Kyle’s difficulties, God has a plan and purpose for his life and for yours. Watch Del's bonus teaching looking at the topic now or watch the full episode online now at Cross Examine's Facebook page www.facebook.com/CrossExamine.
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Dr. Del Tackett is the author, architect and teacher for Focus on the Family's The Truth Project, a nationwide initiative designed to bring the Christian worldview to the body of Christ.
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Taylor’s Closet
Posted on August 12, 2010
Filed Under Community | 13 Comments
Meet Lindsay Giambattista. Four years ago, she was a typical teenager caught up in her own life and her designer clothes. She had the blessing of being in a loving Christian home where the cares of the world were mostly unknown to her.
Then something happened.
Providentially, Lindsay’s life intersected with a stark reality. They are called “girls at risk”—young girls who find themselves pretty much on their own—often “on the streets”.
This was a world that was not only unknown to Lindsay, but it was puzzling. A young girl should be living a happy life in the security of a home with a loving mom and dad. That was her experience. How could these girls, instead, find themselves alone, on the street, blown to and fro like a piece of discarded rubbish?
The Lord began to convict Lindsay to get involved.
At first, it didn’t go that well. These two worlds don’t have much in common.
So Lindsay got a divine idea. It had to do with one of the things she cherished in this world: her clothes. Give them away and use them as the bridge between her and the girls who had nothing. She began to enlist others and it didn’t take long before she had nearly 70 huge garbage bags filled with designer clothes.
And she was just getting started.
Skip past six or seven chapters in the story…at the age of 18, Lindsay now runs “Taylor’s Closet”, a private, high-end boutique in an isolated building in south Florida. Inside, it looks like you’ve stepped into a fairy land of high-end clothes (this is a guy writing this).
But it isn’t your normal botique. You can’t go there and buy things. You only get there by appointment and you only get the appointment if you are an “at risk” girl.
Every girl that comes into Taylor’s closet is given somewhat of a “makeover”, a consultation, and then she gets to “shop” for six items…anything she wants in the botique is hers to keep. They put on the clothes and get all primped and then Lindsay says, “You’re beautiful!”
Then they sit down together…and they talk.
The message Lindsay sends them?
You are valuable. You are not rubbish or a discard. In the eyes of God, you have great worth. No matter what has happened in your life up to this point, He can radically change you, remake you.
I’ve seen before and after pictures. Before: a girl off the streets, forlorn, alone, eyes with no hope. After: a beautiful girl, eyes twinkling, a bright smile.
I think they are getting Lindsay’s message.
Additionally, for those who desire it, Lindsay, Linda (her mom) and others provide a mentoring program. They study the Bible and they learn about things that you and I take for granted. Things like drawing a picture. Lindsay told me that one girl had never drawn before. I can’t imagine a child growing up without crayons or chalk or a set of water colors to paint something.
There is something else inside the “botique”. It is a modern kitchen, built for the purpose of teaching the girls how to prepare food. Linda related to me how some of the girls didn’t know how to heat up a can of soup or had never held a head of lettuce or sliced a tomato.
I’ll leave the rest of the story, including why it is named “Taylor’s” closet, for the Cross Examine show, where we had the privilege of interviewing Lindsay and Linda on the set. It really is one of the great stories of how following God’s design, caring for the needy through personal involvement, works best.
On the outside of the building, Lindsay has painted these words, “Love & Hope”. That is surely what is going on inside.
And that won’t come from institutional programs.
The state just wasn’t designed to do this. It ends up making a poor substitute for the good neighbor.
We ARE designed for this.
It is in our new DNA.
Comments
13 Responses to “Taylor’s Closet”
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What a powerful ministry this young woman has. I’m leading a women’s retreat next week on being the Beloved daughters of God and I’d love to use this story of hope during one of the sessions. I’d also love to see the interview! How do I find the “Cross Examine” show?
[Thanks, Nancy. The Lord is doing a wonderful work in these girl's lives. Stay tuned to the blog. I will post where you can see the show in a few weeks. It doesn't air until mid-September. DT]
Sounds great. Where can we see “Cross Examine”?
[Stay tuned. I'll post where it will be airing. Starts mid-September. DT]
Wonderfully uplifting story about this ministry. Brava to Lindsay and to all who make this a reality. This type of personal ministry is indeed so much better that a government run program in so many ways…one of the biggest reasons is that Christ’s love is made manifest through Christians.
[Agree. Let's pray we see more "Taylor's Closets" such that government programs are no longer needed. DT]
Dear Del,
I have seen our story printed hundreds of times and I can honestly say it’s never been captured so perfectly. Thank you so much. BTW, you totally get Taylor’s Closet, even if you are a guy.
Blessings,
Linda
[Thanks, Linda! It was such a joy to meet you and Lindsay. May the Lord continue to bless what you are doing and all those who are moved by the Spirit of God to engage in creative ways not dreamed of! Give my regards to Lindsay. DT]
Having just read the book “Life at the Bottom” by Dr. Dalrymple (one of the guest interviewees of the Truth Project) I was brought to tears by this story. The reality is that the church as a community is wrapped up too much in our own world to really be of any use to the people that we are called to serve. Help me, Lord, to perceive opportunities to be an example to the believer as much as a hand-up to the outsiders.
[Thanks, Ian. Your response is an answer to my prayer for the Truth Project, for the blog and for Cross Examine. May the body of Christ become the light and salt that God designed her to be! DT]
“You’re beautiful.” not “Your beautiful.”
Awesome example of worthwhile news and what it means to look to the needs of others. May God bless Lindsay and this ministry.
[Ha! Thanks, I got it! YOU'RE great! DT]
Simply a beautiful witness to his grace mercy and love!
Amazing teen! God is awesome how he is using her- very precious story. Can’t wait to see Cross Examine! We don’t have cable- will we still be able to view it? Thanks, Dell, for this blog.
[Debbie, your welcome, but it's the stories that are so valuable. I'll let you know soon about where CE will be available. DT]
Will anything be available to show as a clip? As we begin our project and theme this year of “Be The Blessing” this would be a great way to show how you see a need and your love becomes the action.
Thanks!
[Nikki, I think there will be some things available on-line once airing begins in mid-September. I will try to keep you posted through the blog. Thanks for reading! DT]
I am humbled and impressed to read of Lindsay’s ventures here, as well as of her spirit of service to those in need. Oddly (but maybe not so?) she reminds me strikingly of Dorcas. May God continue to bless her work endeavors! And may He draw unto Himself the hearts of those receivers, that they may obtain eternal life!
“The state just wasn’t designed to do this. It ends up making a poor substitute for the good neighbor.”
So true, brother. Principalities and powers. Where the state (Roman government) could not step in, Jesus called upon His disciples to serve 500. He is essentially calling upon us His disciples to do the same, serving others in need, despite the challenges. It is difficult, as ministering must be also to the heart, but great blessings can be found in the midst of them, for God will so bestow, and so please to work His glory and power in those situations, and in the very lives of the people involved, both giving and receiving!
Thanks for the article. God bless.
-Lewis
Wow, that is an amazing story. As a teenager myself, it always inspires me to hear stories of young adults my age doing amazing things.
I’m keeping a blog where I post stories and links about things like this. This story is too good not to share.
Good on, Lindsay! And thank you, Mr. Tackett, for spreading her story.
Thank you!
~Rachel Lynn
http://www.thejesusadventure.blogspot.com
[Thanks, Rachel Lynn. Let's hope it inspires others. Thanks for reading! dt]
Congratulations on producing one of the best teaching illustrations of Christian life in today’s Godless culture that I’ve seen. This teaching is sorely needed and you’re to be commended for communicating it so effectively.
This week’s episode of Cross examine illustrates God’s wisdom regarding Statism and couples it with a story of making a Christian impact as God intended. It was made powerful by coupling it with Coral Ridges’ production of “Socialism: A Clear and Present Danger”
This is profound on many levels and I hope viewers will study it carefully as it describes
1. the dangers we face with our welfare state today as we move closer to policies of “Social Justice”
2. The yearning that young women have to feel beautiful as God wired them up to feel
3. The special beauty of a Christian Mom supporting and mentoring her daughter to exercise their Christian Faith….so extraordinary in today’s culture
4. A franchise-able example for many small groups who are attempting to make a difference in their own communities.
This is one of the best examples of Christians “making a difference” that I’ve seen. In fact it made me cry by its heart-felt simplicity. I think that Cross Examine is one of the few best and relevant Christian ministries being broadcast today. Thank you for illustrating God’s intention for us so effectively during these dangerous times.
[My heart is to see God's people hunger for the truth of God and develop an unending desire to apply that truth to all of life. Thanks, Bruno, for your deeply encouraging words. Pray that we may continue this effort and that it will only bring glory to His Name. dt]
Dr. Tackett
I just finished watching Taylor’s Closet. As others have said what an amazing story and beautiful example how we can make a difference.
It ties in so beautifully too with our last TTP lesson on Community that my small group will be doing next week.
I actually had a dear friend that quit coming to the TTP lessons, that did reach out to the needy for 2 years. We had a young couple that lives just outside of our neighborhood. Our neighborhood has helped them over the last few years. They are both mentally challenged ( hope that doesn’t offend anyone). They got married, had a child last year, the child is horribly deformed (father has same genetic deformities), huge medical issues. But my neighbor did everything for them, taking them to the doctors, making sure the baby got care. The couple simply abused my neighbor’s generosity, to the point my neighbor has had to separate herself from them. My point is in your bonus teaching on Taylor’s closet, points out how important it is to use Biblical discernment when we are helping the needy. My neighbor feels very guilty about cutting off her involvement with this couple, but it was something she had to do. Any suggestions as to how to help her would be appreciated.
We are blessed to live in a caring neighborhood, we are a community that takes care of our neighbors, but I will share that with you another time. We truly have amazing stories.
Thank you for all that you do.Kathy
[Thanks, Kathy. You can share with your neighbor that even Jesus didn't heal everyone; and there were some that were healed that didn't "get it". While in the flesh, Jesus had limitations. He had to sleep and eat and He bled when pierced. How much more, then, do we need to realize that each of us has a very limited capacity. She helped as best she could, but there are times when helping people doesn't turn out the way we planned. There are times when people aren't really ready to be helped and they will take advantage of us. (BTW, it sounds like this couple may need professional help.) I would encourage her not to give up in caring for the needy just because one effort hasn't YET turnede out a success. Share with her Galatians 6:9, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." dt]