Lance's Corner

When I first arrived in California, every day was about survival.

Living in a park meant I had to figure out where my next meal would come from, how I would stay clean, and how I would make it through another day. I quickly learned about churches in the area that served free meals to people experiencing homelessness. Those meals became something I looked forward to and not just because they filled my stomach, but because they reminded me that there were still people who cared.

Many of those churches also gave away clothing. I was grateful for every shirt, every pair of pants, and every small act of kindness. When you’ve lost almost everything, even the things most people take for granted become blessings.

During that time, I applied for CalFresh and General Relief. Receiving those benefits meant I could finally buy groceries instead of wondering where my next meal would come from. I was also able to buy a few clothes of my own, which helped restore a little of my dignity.

Even through all of this, I never stopped praying.

There were nights in the park when I would ask God to guide me and open a door that would allow me to get back on my feet. I didn’t know how He would answer those prayers, but I refused to give up hope.

Then one day, that door opened.

I found a day job working on a political campaign, going door to door encouraging people to vote for George Whitesides in the upcoming election. It wasn’t glamorous, but to me it was an opportunity and a chance to earn money, regain confidence, and prove to myself that I could still work hard despite my circumstances.

Every morning before work, I used the park’s restroom to wash up and make myself presentable. It wasn’t ideal, but I wanted to show up looking like someone who cared. I refused to let being homeless define how I carried myself.

Looking back now, I realize those mornings taught me something important.

Your circumstances don’t have to determine your character.

I may have been sleeping in a park, but I still believed God had a purpose for my life. Every meal from a church, every benefit that helped me get by, every morning washing up before work, and every prayer I whispered became another step toward rebuilding my life.

I wasn’t where I wanted to be.

But I wasn’t where I started anymore.

A couple of months later, another prayer was answered. I was accepted into a homeless shelter. It wasn’t a permanent home, but it gave me something I hadn’t had since arriving in California, a safe place to sleep and the opportunity to keep moving forward.

Looking back now, I can see that God was working in my life every step of the way. He didn’t change my circumstances overnight, but He gave me exactly what I needed when I needed it most. Every small blessing became another reminder not to give up.

The shelter wasn’t the end of my journey.

It was the beginning of a new chapter.

In my next post, I’ll share what life was like in the shelter and how it became another stepping stone toward rebuilding my life.