Homeless in a Car

"What to do?  What to do?  It’s 90 degrees outside and pouring down rain.  We are fogging up the windows and it’s getting very hot in here.  Do we roll the windows down just a little and allow our pillows and blankets to get wet, or do we get out in the rain just to cool off.  But then I will have to figure out how to get dry before getting back in the car.  What to do?  What to do?"

Liz wondered how she and her kids had come to a place where they were living in her car. She distinctly remembers these thoughts as she watched the rain fall from the sky.

Liz is from a good home. Her father was a minister. She had been married to the same man for 23 years. They had a prosperous life: nice home, quality furniture, latest appliances, several vehicles, and name brand clothing.

She had always tried to play each of her roles perfectly  - perfect daughter, perfect wife, and perfect mother. But her father passed away and her husband began to take narcotics. His usage spiraled into an addiction that led him to walk out of his family. Liz struggled for so long on her own. She wrestled a deep feeling of failure and abandonment.  

As she sat in the car with her kids that night, she remembers asking, “God, where are you?  Why have you left me too? Just let me die as I watch these raindrops."

But God's plan wasn't to allow Liz to die in that car. In fact, He had not left her alone at all.  Through a series of events, He led her to The Care Center where she was introduced to Nathan Young.  

Nathan began to interview Liz to find out her story. As she relayed the past several months of losses and struggles, she did her best not to get her hopes up. She felt like The Care Center was too good to be true. And Liz felt like she was wasting away and good for nothing.

In their conversation, Nathan told her that he believed that the Lord had led Liz to The Care Center to find rest. And if she and her children could agree to follow the ground rules, he had a room for her and her children.

Liz couldn’t believe it.  She had grown accustomed to the constant worry of where her family would stay that night. It had been so long since she had regular, healthy, full-portioned meals. And now she was being offered a bed of her own, a kitchen where she could cook again, and a TV to watch.  It felt impossible. She realized it was a miracle; God was with her.  In fact, looking back, she sees how He carried her through long days and sleepless nights.

As a resident of The Care Center, Liz finally sees hope in her life.  Through daily Bible Study, she has bonded with other Christian women.  She has a job and has been able to save money.  She's gained inner strength from the lessons she has learned such as solely relying on God and trusting in Him fully.  

Liz realizes through patience that God will see her through the trials and tribulations. These testings will allow her to grow spiritually so that perhaps one day she in turn can help someone else.

Though the story is true, the names have been changed.