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The relative wealth of our nation sometimes desensitizes people to the problems of poverty. During the Great Depression, almost everyone knew what “hard times” were all about.
Today, many couples believe they have experienced hard times when they tap into savings, take out a second mortgage, or sell off stocks and bonds to overcome a financial setback.
And yet, there are families with no savings to draw upon, no home to mortgage, and no family members to help them out. Several years ago, after losing our home and our jobs, my husband and I found ourselves in that exact situation. Thankfully, our family didn’t end up homeless. My husband and I are now both working at several jobs and struggling to get back on more solid financial footing so that we can support ourselves and our four children. Through it all, God has abundantly shown his love and care for us.
Our losses began after we had purchased our first home. A real estate agent—who decided to take her commission and literally run with it—failed to disclose certain facts about the state of the house. Our meager savings rapidly dwindled as we tried to fix severe electrical, plumbing, and roof problems.
Right after we lost our home, with one e-mail and one day’s notice, we both lost our jobs. My husband and I had worked as independent contractors for a large, successful corporation that had suddenly decided to downsize its staff, so we were not eligible for unemployment benefits. We had nowhere to turn.
The Specter of Homelessness. At this point, the specter of homelessness was before us. I actually purchased warm snowsuits for our children, on sale for $5.00 during the off-season, so that if we ended up homeless during the winter, they could stay warm. I cannot describe the gut-wrenching sorrow, panic, and fear that I experienced when I made that purchase.
But the Lord did not leave us to suffer these losses alone. God always listened, even when we felt there was no one else to help. We felt that the Lord wanted us to focus on what’s really important—on him, on our children, and on each other.
Rather than allowing the crisis to become a source of conflict, the Lord gave my husband and me the grace to cling to and draw strength from each other. We were able to keep our daily lives as normal as possible for our four young children, so they were never aware of our precarious position. It took a special inner strength to remain calm in their presence, even when the outside world was crashing around us.
Rebuilding Our Lives. With no immediate job prospects and a bleak economic situation in our area, we decided to start our own businesses. My husband is now a professional floor cleaner. He travels long distances moving from job to job, which he schedules whenever his customers need him. This can be anywhere from 6:00 a.m. till two the next morning. I work at my own small home-based business, writing throughout the day and into the evenings, while also caring for our four children. We both survive on only a few hours of sleep each night.
Homelessness is still sometimes a very real fear. (I don’t think one ever really forgets that desperate fear.) Whenever we feel like we are starting to make progress, an unexpected bill or expense comes up, and we are once again tempted to plunge into despair. We know it’s going to take a very long time to rebuild our lives.
When I’m feeling upset, I find myself turning to the Mass, listening intently to the sermons and taking to heart each word of every song. The words of one hymn bring tears to my eyes: “Blessed are they, the poor in spirit, theirs is the kingdom of God.”
True Treasures. Each time I look upon my children’s faces or that of my husband, I thank God for them, and them alone. We lost everything but not each other. No matter how bad our financial circumstances, I am always grateful for our four dear children and a loving and understanding husband. Above all, I am thankful for the kindness of the Lord. He doesn’t judge or condemn or berate us. He only listens, and provides us with the strength and compassion we so desperately seek.
Having lost everything has made us more empathetic to the plight of those in real need, those without generous severance packages, retirement funds, or life insurance money to rely on. I hope to repay God’s generosity to us someday by truly helping those who require our assistance, to keep families from the precariousness and horror of homelessness.
Each day is still a mental and physical struggle. Sometimes we briefly entertain the thought that we can stop working day and night just to keep a roof over our heads. Then we are jolted to reality with another unexpected expense.
However, whenever I begin to fret, I remember the rest of that hymn: “Rejoice and be glad! Yours is the kingdom of God!” As long as I have my precious babies and we all have each other, we will survive. And God will provide the strength. I will rejoice and be glad.
Thank you for sharing your very difficult story, and the great faith you have!
You serve as an inspiration and a blessing and I pray much good will come from your article. I will pray for you and your family.
these are inspiring words that really touched my heart. I pray for you and all families that are in hardship and we will all overcome with a strong faith. in Jesus name. wish I’m able to speak these words of wisdom. thank you
These are comforting words to hear in times as we’re experiencing now, when so many of us are struggling so much to get by. God bless you and your family, and we will pray for you.