In living this life, I've noticed that some of us get an extra scoop of suffering added to our fight for survival.

I used to struggle with that concept, but not anymore. Just like in the military, there are elite special forces units, these are the battle-hardened warriors who have a knack for enduring pain. Some of us, I believe, are chosen for these missions that would knock down your average bear. 

I was working at a Homeless Shelter, and I loved my job! I've always felt called to help folks who have lost it all.  After about ten years, I lost my job unfairly I felt. But we battle on. 

I called my son, and he didn't hesitate to invite me to move in with him. I lived on the grounds of my place of employment, so when I lost my job, I also lost my apartment. 

This was right around the Covid time. And I didn't know that my son had lost his job too. He didn't tell me bc he said he felt so ashamed! And when they evicted us, I found out that in his shame and pain, he'd become addicted to fentanyl! I don't wish that scourge on any family! 

But I kept praying for my boy as my little bit of money dwindled as I tried to keep us off the streets and paying for hotel rooms and food. My son, devastated, handed his daughter, my granddaughter, over to his mom and grandparents. And he headed to a state-run detox center for help! 

I was the unfortunate inheritor of a disease that had killed several of my family members: diabetes and neuropathy that make it very painful to walk. 

But I still had my car, so I was giving rides to folks and touting my selling point: I cost less than Uber! 

I have been trying to get help from the government, but I'm stuck as there seems to be a glitch in my paperwork, and I can't seem to get over as my family is all gone except for my son, and I've lost many of my records. 

One night, as I was driving one of my most faithful clients home, on the way back to the parking lot where I would park my car, as I was now living in my car, I ran into a flash flood! The water came up so fast my car was floating in what was an avenue and was now a pond! I pushed my car through the rain because that's all I had. (She is my car, that is)expired that night, she never turned on again; I lost her too. 

The lady I gave rides to came looking for me, and she offered me to stay in her apartment (temporarily)in a good-sized closet where I'm now sitting as I write you this note. It's better than the streets or the backseat of a car. 

Two days ago, I was taken by ambulance to the emergency room bc of a flare-up from diabetes! I had the ambulance folks answer me one thing: I asked, how's my heart? After they had checked, they said, heart looks good! I said devil, I know it's you trying to kill me again. Is that all you've got???? 

Folks, I'm no quitter; I've always taken pride in paying my way. But sometimes you've gotta make way for some help! 

If you could look into your hearts and stay still for a moment and see if the good Lord is nudging you towards helping out this old soldier of the Lord, I'm 65 years old, and I know that the Lord blesses givers because I am a giver myself. And I hope not, but if you need a hand further down the road, the Lord will make sure His mercy finds you!

Just a hand up so I can get a foothold, be under a roof, and hopefully a used clunker, and let my powder dry so I can be ready for the next battle. I want to help my son as he's helped me. Good news, he's beaten that demonic addiction! Glory to God. He's at a sober living house run by the state. And once he's back on his feet, he can get his job and get his daughter, my granddaughter ! She's six, and she stole my heart. 

We have a ways to go, but I know that with the Lord and your mercy and kindness, I can return to my personal ministry of helping folks catch a break. I leave all this in your hearts and His Helping Hands! Many thanks, and God bless and protect you and yours! Amen.