At the age of 22, after being a stay-at-home mom for my children (ages three and four), my former husband abandoned our family, leaving me with no job and hardly any money. As a result, I was evicted from the home that we had rented for a year. I found a job, but the low wages and welfare I received were simply not enough to keep us afloat. With nowhere to go and no child support, I found myself in a very desperate situation. I drove around my small town for a few hours trying to decide what to do, as I knew that I had no idea where my children and I were going to sleep that night. I drove to a pay phone and just began calling apartment complexes located in Tampa, a city I knew nothing about. I had almost given up as I realized that all the apartments were much more expensive than the $350 that I received along with food stamps each month from the State.
The last number I called was answered by a woman, and she explained that I would need to pay the first and last months’ rent along with a deposit. Once again I felt the feeling of desperation rise up within me as I knew it was simply too much money. I thanked her and explained that I could not afford the amount as my monthly check from the State was simply not enough. I was about to hang up when she said, “Wait, did you say you had two babies?” I replied, “Yes, I do.” What came next shocked me; she said, “If you bring me the check, I will allow you to move in today and I will cover the rest.” I hung up and called back because I was shocked that a total stranger would be willing to help me when my own family had abandoned me. With my children, I rushed to the apartment an hour away. She allowed us to move in along with all of our possessions, which amounted to a garbage bag of clothes, one twin bed, a frying pan, a bowl, two plates, and two plastic glasses.
Over the next five years the Lord blessed me and led me step by step as I rededicated my life wholly to Him. I attended and served in a local church where I eventually met my husband. Even though I was happily living my new life that the Lord had so graciously blessed me with, I still never forgot the woman who helped me. I told the Lord I wanted to repay her some day for what she had done for us.
One afternoon, during a staff meeting at the childcare facility where I worked, a teacher mentioned that two little twin girls in her class were being raised by their grandparents. The grandmother had inquired if any of the teachers at the center would be willing to take the girls for a weekend and provide them with some much needed rest. I volunteered to take care of the girls and was told that within the next week or so I would be able to meet the grandmother.
About a week later, I was called from my room to the foyer to meet the grandmother. After introductions, we made small talk and I asked her where she worked and what she did. She said, “I am an apartment manager here in town.” As she said that she gasped, “You are the girl that I helped five years ago!” We both started to cry. We hugged each other and began to praise the Lord out loud and shared our unbelievable story with the other teachers that were standing there. Everyone was amazed—they knew this had to be God. My family had a wonderful time with the twins that weekend, and it gave the grandparents the break that they needed.
I was totally amazed that the Lord would do such an awesome thing just for me! I am very thankful to my Savior for allowing us to meet again and for giving me the opportunity to “repay” this angel that He had sent at the exact time that I needed her. The Lord loves and cares for us, even in the smallest details of our lives.
