Early Saturday morning I went online to check the results of the lottery ticket my husband bought us. Before I was able to get to the website, I got to thinking about a time when I was broke and being evicted from my apartment.
I had found a women's shelter that would take me in. They told me to be there first thing the next morning. They only had one bed left and they promised it to me.
When I arrived they had given my bed to someone else. I was very upset and didn't know what to do.
The lady in the front office suggested I speak with her colleague who might be able to help. He met with me but was clearly annoyed by the intrusion first thing in the morning without an appointment. He made no effort to cover up his frustration.
I prayed!
Against his own will, this young man went to great lengths to get me the assistance I needed. I got two months of paid rent to avoid the eviction and six months of food stamps. This gave me time to get on my feet and move on.
As I sat in our living room recalling the experience, I remembered a song written by Walter Hawkins that our choir used to sing many, many years ago.
Wanna hear it? Here it goes...
Tragedies are common place
All kinds of diseases, people are slipping away
Economy's down, people can't get enough pay
But as for me, all I can say is
Thank You Lord for all You've done for me.
Folks without homes, living out in the streets
And the drug habits some say, they just can't beat
Muggers and robbers, no place seems to be safe
But You've been my protection every step of the way
And I want to say
Thank You Lord for all You've done for me.
It could've been me
Outdoors
No food
No clothes
Or left alone
Without one friend
Or just another number
With a tragic end
But You didn't see fit to let none of these things be
And everyday by Your power
You keep on keeping me
And I want to say
Thank You Lord for all You've done for me.
I wanna thank You for Your for love
Thank You for Your power
Thank You for protection
Every hour
I want to thank You for mercy
Wanna thank You for so much grace
Thank You for holding me
Thank You for loving me
Thank You for keeping me
Thank You for leading me
Thank You for guiding me
Thank You for protecting me
Where would I go?
No place to sleep
But You made a way for me
I want to say thank You
I could have been lost
In my sin
But You quickened my heart
And You brought me in.
Thank You for picking me up
Thank You for turning me around
Thank You for placing my feet
On solid ground.
I want to say thank you
Early in the morning
Brand new mercies I see
Thank you Lord for all You've done for me.
As I sang the song in my head, tears flooded my face. It could 've been me on the street, but God is faithful and didn't see fit to let it be.
As we struggle through this pandemic, tragedies are definitely commonplace. Somehow in the midst of it all, I remembered this testimony of God's faithfulness to me.
As a way to pay it forward, I sometimes volunteer to feed the homeless at The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center aka The Stewpot.
Well, we didn't hit the lottery this time, but I thank You Lord for all You've done for me. Amen.