This isn’t easy for me to seek help in this way. I’ve asked God to search my heart to make sure that it isn’t pride; I just genuinely don’t want to be a bother (sounds silly, I know, but it is what it is). However, this is a genuine NEED.

     I’m a senior and in Oct. of 2022 my vehicle became irreparably undrivable. She was a 20 yr. old Trailblazer and I really loved that vehicle. It was a “Godwink” that I got it in the first place and I did my best to take good care of her. At 20, she had only one quarter-sized rust spot on the body, the interior was very good, and she ran good. But, the frame rusted through. I’d had it repaired before, but it got to the point where it was not able to be repaired at any price. I drove her until she literally broke apart. By God’s grace, I was in a parking lot at the time.

     I wasn’t merely left without transportation, but the loss altered my entire life drastically in a negative, abrupt way. I had two injuries to my legs, incl. two torn menisci. PT was helping but without transportation I was no longer able to get to the center. You lose ground. I used to go walking 3-4X/week and that came to a sudden end. My neighborhood has its safety issues. Nothing like Chicago or NY, thank God!! But just this morning a man was shot and killed just two and a half blocks from my house. I don’t often go walking here. Sometimes I just do it. I used to drive to other areas or shopping centers to walk. Other than my injuries I’ve enjoyed good health. No medications or anything. You’d be surprised at how quickly relative inactivity can take a toll on one’s body.

     Then there’s work. I receive social security, less than $1000/month. I live in the family home, both parents are deceased and the house is literally deteriorating. I have to find work. I desperately need to move. Not only the condition of the home but I’ve been broken into twice now. Both times the Lord protected me and I was able to get out of the house unscathed. PTL! Bus service here is some of the worst in the country, while at the same time in a tie with two other cities for the most expensive. A long running joke here re bus svc. is that “you can’t get there from here”! Last yr. I was able to get a seasonal temp job on the bus line. Most places want to know if you have ‘reliable transportation’ and others were just impossible to get to without a vehicle even though with some my qualifications and their requirements meshed perfectly.

     Hebrews 10:24-25 says that Believers should get together all the more as we see the Day approaching. There’s good reason for that. Isolation isn’t spiritually, physically, nor mentally, healthy. I know why solitary confinement is a punishment. God never intended human beings to be in isolation. I’ve always been involved in pro-life activism and ministry, and politics. Without transportation that has all been curtailed. And I ache for Christian fellowship. I’m not an “emotional” person, but it drags on me.

     Staying in the Word as I’ve always done, has been the balm that gets me through. I know this need isn’t like a terminal illness or such, but in many ways it almost feels like it, to me.

     I should be able to get a good used vehicle for $12,000, maybe less, from what I’ve seen. There was an SUV big enough for the 5 grandkids that are in this area for less than that, but I couldn’t get a loan. I don’t have bad credit. I don’t have any credit history. I’ve never believed in credit cards and saved up or did without. It’s amazing how many things you can do without. 😊 But the system punishes you for that.

     Life has been challenging to say the least, BUT GOD has blessed me in so many ways. I made sacrifices, financially and of myself to homeschool my two children as a divorced mom. God gave them opportunities that could have only come through His hand of grace! I am just at a place now where I don’t know what else to do. I’ve been praying and mulling this over (givesendgo) for a few months now. And so here I am.

     If nothing else, please pray for the Lord to heal my legs. Every step I take is either painful or very painful; yet I’m thankful for each one.

     May the Lord bless you for your prayers and/or donations!

#GivingTuesday