Lance's Corner

After spending months sleeping in a park, I finally got the news I had been praying for.

A bed had opened up in a homeless shelter in Los Angeles County.

Walking into that shelter felt like crossing a bridge between survival and hope. It wasn’t a permanent home, but it was a huge step forward. For the first time in months, I had a safe place to sleep every night instead of worrying about where I would lay my head.

While I was sleeping in the park, even getting through the night wasn’t easy. The park’s automatic sprinklers would come on, and I had to learn when they were scheduled so I could move before they soaked everything I owned. There were nights when I wasn’t fast enough, and I woke up drenched along with my backpack and the few belongings I had left. It was exhausting, but I kept reminding myself that this season of my life wouldn’t last forever.

That’s why walking into the shelter meant so much to me. For the first time in months, I didn’t have to worry about rain, sprinklers, or being forced to move in the middle of the night. I could finally close my eyes knowing I’d have a safe place to sleep.

Living in a shelter was very different from living in a park.

I was finally able to take a hot shower, sleep in a bed, and eat better meals. Those simple things may not seem like much to most people, but after living outdoors, they felt like blessings I no longer took for granted.

While I was there, I also learned about a government program that provided free cellphone service. That phone became more than just a way to stay connected, it became a lifeline. Employers could finally reach me for job interviews, and I could make calls without worrying about how I was going to pay for service.

While I was living in the shelter, I also made it a priority to get my California driver’s license. I studied hard for the written exam, passed it, and then worked toward passing the driving test. When I finally earned my license, it felt like more than just a piece of plastic, it was another step toward rebuilding my independence. It reminded me that no matter where I was living, I could still set goals and achieve them. Every milestone, no matter how small it seemed, gave me more confidence that my life was moving in the right direction.

It was another reminder that sometimes the smallest opportunities can make the biggest difference.

Life in the shelter wasn’t easy.

Everyone there had their own story, their own struggles, and their own reasons for needing a place to stay. Living with so many different people came with challenges, but no matter how difficult it could be, I reminded myself that I wasn’t sleeping in a park anymore.

I thanked God every day for giving me a safe place to rest.

Every night I slept in a real bed reminded me of the nights I spent on the grass, trying to avoid the sprinklers. Those experiences taught me never to take simple blessings for granted.

After some time, I heard about another shelter that offered more stability and better living conditions. I applied, hoping another door would open.

It did.

I was accepted.

The new shelter was another blessing. The food was better, and instead of simply having a bed, I had my own cubicle space. It wasn’t an apartment, but it gave me privacy, dignity, and a place that felt a little more like my own.

As I settled into the shelter, I kept looking for work.

I refused to give up.

Then one day, another prayer was answered.

I landed a steady job.

That job changed everything.

It gave me stability, purpose, and the confidence that I could build a future again. Every obstacle I had faced, from losing my marriage, to grieving the loss of my loved ones, to arriving in California with almost nothing, to sleeping in a park had prepared me to appreciate opportunities that I once took for granted.

Today, I’m still working at that same job.

Even more importantly, I now have a place of my own to call home.

Looking back, I realize that my journey wasn’t changed by one big miracle. It was changed by a series of small blessings, one after another. A church meal. A government benefit. A shelter bed. A cellphone. A job opportunity.

Each one became another step that God used to lead me forward.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:

Never underestimate what God can do with someone who refuses to give up.

My journey wasn’t over when I walked into that shelter.

In many ways…

It was the place where my new life truly began.