A piece of my testimony…
I originally wanted to type this to prove to people that
being wise of your resources and having faith in God, you don’t need a car to
do things you want. But I felt moved to just give the mini-story of how God has
blessed me these several months.
People have not even a 0.5% idea of what I have been
through. But I must say, the things that I have been through, I got through
because of my faith in Yahweh. September 2011 I decided to let my GA Position,
supervising over a dormitory, go for the best of me and personal reasons. I was
unemployed for 3 months. Every single day it was job application after job
application. My friend invited me to visit her in Knoxville during the New Year
holidays and so I applied to several jobs in Knoxville. One particular job
called me within 30 minutes after submitting my resume online. To fast forward,
I went to Knoxville, had the interview, and declined it because the training
class was a quick turnaround to handle business at home first and, honestly, I
was scared because of the demands of the job.
That was the end of December and the beginning of January.
The mid of January came and my unemployment benefits were running out.
Completely forgot about the job I interviewed for in Knoxville, I received a
phone from them asking if I would be able to attend the next training class
start that started in March. I said yes with the thought in the back of my mind
of continuing to look for work at home (Memphis). The week before the training
class, I researched apartments, narrowed it down to two apartments, rented a
car and loaded it up with my necessities, drove to Knoxville, viewed the
apartment (which is 7 minutes away from my employment), signed the lease, and
moved in.
For the next 3 months, life was hard, no lie. I hated my
job. At first I was soooo grateful to God to be working. But gratefulness
turned into bitterness because I was so depressed about my job. I wasn’t
hitting budget and I just KNEW I was going to have to move back home. The last
month of my 3-month probation, I hit budget at work and was guaranteed another
month of employment.
So much during this period of time, I have learned. I come
home every day and prepare my lunch and clothes for work the next day. I read
the bible every night and have learned to pray not just the morning and night,
but throughout the day. I memorized scriptures. I budget and monitor my money
carefully.
My friends and other people always questioned me how do I get
to the grocery store and other places without a car. People who have had
transportation all their life is so blind to the society who relies solely on
public transportation. I don’t have a car but I am able to get anywhere I need
to with public transportation and sometimes a cab. I am able to save so much
because I don’t have a car note, I don’t have car insurance, I don’t have car maintenance and THANK GOD I don’t have to spend
money on gas. At home I was putting $10 in my ma’s car EVERY day! Almost $200 a
month on gas along, not to mention the car note, insurance, and maintenance.
Again, I say, I am able to go wherever I want to go, even
without a car. I took myself to three concerts.
Rented a car and took myself and
three others to Gatlinburg, TN and saw the beautiful mountains God made.
I go to the mall every weekend. Found and go to the perfect church for me.
(Amazingly, my Pastor here in Knoxville is good friends with my Pastor at home
in Memphis!) I go to my favorite grocery store every weekend, Kroger! I go
to Wal-mart. My church members are ALWAYS
offering me a ride to anywhere. I never
worry about getting stranded because I keep either bus fare and $25 dollars for
cab on me at all times. (I keep pepper spray on me, too!)
Through all of this, I had no back up plans of how I will
make it. It was scary at many times because I had no one to depend on if any
thing was to happen. Through all of this, a little knowledge and depending
SOLELY AND FAITHFULLY on Yahweh, I have made it thus far. And all I want is for Him
to continue to have His way and to help me be a blessing to others. Don’t let
something as simple as not having car hold you back because with God, ANYTHING
IS POSSIBLE!!!
Be blessed!
Some Scriptures that always keep me motivated and encouraged:
Philippians 4:11-13 I am not saying this because I am in need, for
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I
know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well
fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do
all this through him who gives me strength.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares and worries on Him for
He cares about you.
James 1 2:8 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and
sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know
that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let
perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not
lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who
gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But
when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts
is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That
person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a
person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
