I love being inspired by someone who has overcome seemingly insurmountable odds to accomplish something great. Few things give me more hope for the future and courage to press on in my own endeavors.

The following may sound like a shameless plug, but I assure you I have no connection to this organization in any way. I’m simply impressed by one woman who has allowed herself to be used by God, has been committed to following His voice and has impacted thousands of lives in the process.

I’m talking about Nancy Alcorn. If you’ve not heard of Nancy, she single-handedly started a ministry for troubled young women in the 70’s. Today, Mercy Ministries is a powerful force in the lives of hurting women around the world. It’s a program that offers professional help & Christ’s love for those struggling with eating disorders, unplanned pregnancy, sexual addictions, depression, suicide and more. Mercy Ministries accepts no state or federal funding and provides their services free of charge to accepted applicants. Yes, that’s right, the program is completely free to women who have a strong desire to see their lives turn around.

Though I’ve never met Nancy, I imagine a conversation with her would reveal some challenging times in her journey. When she began by herself in the 70’s, I wonder if she ever imagined Mercy Ministries would turn into what it has today. She may have started small, but thank God she started.

What will you start?