Around the time of the #StopTheViolence event and the #BackToSchool event I hosted from my organization L.O.V.E. INC. my family were facing major struggles financially. My husband being in the military wasn't enough to pay the bills, at the time he had only a part time job due to them cutting his hours and I was not working. It seemed as though things started getting behind quickly, all it took was for one bad month to have the bills pile up. Though we were tight on money we still paid our tithes, I never forgot one of the times the check was enough to pay rent if we did NOT pay tithes, but we paid them anyway, we refused to stop tithing because we were in a storm. I’m not going to lie I was a bit frustrated after the first #StopTheViolence event because only 4 people showed and I had spent money on food and supplies to give back to the community. Trying to do something good didn’t feel so right at that moment. After that event I felt as though I wanted to cancel the 2nd #StopTheViolence event and the #BackToSchool event, but my husband encouraged me to push through. I prayed and I decided to still do what I was called to do by God and it eventually paid off.
During this time, we actually went to a place that could offer bill assistance to see if they could help us pay a bill. Well, after waiting hours and hours the verdict came back and we were told, “WE WERE BEHIND AND THEY COULD NOT HELP US BECAUSE WE WOULD BE RIGHT BACK IN THAT POSITION THE NEXT MONTH. The lady said, PERSONALLY, I DON’T KNOW HOW YOU ALL PAY WHAT YOU PAY BY THE INCOME YOU HAVE COMING IN.” I giggled, and simply said, God, then we left. Walking out the building I burst out in tears, NOT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT HELP US, but because this ministry told us that they could not help us because we would end up in the same position and this was a Christian ministry, I was shocked, were was the God in that? Because, my God can do ANYTHING at ANY TIME. After leaving and praying I decided I would still continue with the event, because NOTHING was going to stop me from helping others.
I’m so glad I didn’t give up, the event was a success. We provided school supplies, food, etc. to kids of ALL races and ages. Smiling faces there were leaving and kids seemed just a little more confident after receiving new book bags and supplies. Homeless people came and ate and smiled, talking to one another, it was such a peaceful event, it made me heart smile. I then knew, my purpose really is to help others, because it gives me peace and joy. I am the happiest when I am helping others. Afterwards my husband’s military check came in the mail and was way over the amount we expected, he then started working a new job and we were able to get caught in within 3 weeks. Yes, 3 weeks, the blessings has not stopped since.
There were times my husband and I fed the homeless and we barely had food. There were time we gave money and we barley had money or gas. We have held events to help others when we needed help ourselves, BUT WE NEVER STOPPED OR GAVE UP. I am sharing this NOT to brag but to show you what God intends for us. I talk a lot about sharing life stories in order to help and deliver someone else, so I hope this personal story can touch you in some way, to donate and help a family this holiday season.