This is the image that caught one reader’s eye in my non-traditional Fall colors inspiration board. Obviously, it once caught my eye, too—and thus the picture. I don’t recall where I saw this… but I do recall identifying with it immediately.
Nowhere else to go…
It’s daunting, the feeling of having nowhere else to go. Nowhere…
Not long ago, a family I befriended at Church Street Cafe’ received an eviction notice. The circumstances were convoluted and frustrating and not entirely of the family’s doing, and yet the reality was clear: they needed to find another place to live.
Although the wife was working hard to get her GED and improve their situation, at the moment another reality was clear: there was very little income with which to pay for housing.
To say my eyes were opened further to the needs around me is an understatement!
Every day my friend made phone calls. On several occasions I drove her around our community looking for “for rent” signs on a house they could afford—and other times I went alone… praying that a sign would appear that wasn’t there the day before.
On a Friday afternoon, we found ourselves with nowhere else to go. We’d taken every path of possibility all the way to its dead end. I’d even tried to create housing by tracking down owners of empty houses, but no luck. Can you imagine how frustrating it is to see houses left sitting and rotting away—and a family of five with no place to live?
Even Samaritan House was full.
I felt anxious, but I couldn’t begin to imagine how my friend was feeling. I also felt frustrated by my own house with empty bedrooms… For a variety of reasons, opening our home to the family was not the answer. I knew that—and they certainly didn’t expect it—but I’ll admit to the confused mental gymnastics I found myself playing.
At the eleventh hour, I learned of one more possibility, and we jumped on it immediately—only to find that someone else had already spoken for the house. Trying to be brave for my friend, I asked the landlord to please call if anything changed.
Lord, help my unbelief…
As it turns out, the young couple planning to rent the property decided to stay where they were, and overnight the house became available! The following day—on the day of their eviction hearing—Mom, Dad, and three children (ages 2 to 15) moved into their answer to prayer.
When life’s circumstances are 100% out of our control, we learn a lot about who we really are. We learn whether who we say we are is who we really are. It’s one thing to say we trust God. It’s another to cling to Hope when every single thing in life looks bleak.
You may never have experienced near-homelessness, but perhaps you’ve known the feeling of desperation that comes from having nowhere else to go. Perhaps you’re experiencing it right now due to a
- medical diagnosis
- financial crisis
- broken relationship
- job loss
- bad choice
- fill in the blank
We aren’t the first generation to suffer from fear and despair over the realities of life, but—although the circumstances may be different—the answer is the same.
Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
He’s creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
they run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.
Isaiah 40:27-31 (MSG)
Abraham Lincoln knew of God’s faithfulness as he fell to his knees, convicted that his only response was to trust his Creator in the midst of life’s desperate uncertainties.
Easy? Absolutely not. Possible? Absolutely.
If your ability to believe is waivering today, I’m praying for you. If your faith is strong today, I’m praying for you, too, and I hope you’ll pray for me—and for those around you in the week ahead who need encouragement. Let’s be here for each other!
