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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Guard Your Heart (06/08/12)
I was crying as I was searching the internet with panic attacks. I was wiping tears from my eyes with one hand and with my other hand I was typing a key word or two, and then tapping the Enter key on my keyboard.

“Thank God for Google.” I muttered to myself, smiling at the thought.

I am just devastated. I need someone to pray for me.

“This looks good.”

Prayer Requests. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
Philippians 4:6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Do you have a Prayer Request?
Our prayer team stands ready to pray for your prayer request.

Please pray for:____________

“Plain and simple. Good… Here we go.” I started typing into the web form with both hands, slowly at first, but then my hands couldn’t keep up as I poured out my feelings:


First, a little background. I’m a single parent, working 2 jobs to try to pay the bills, living in a small apartment with my teenage daughter. I also have a cat. Recently, my older daughter came to live with us, along with my granddaughter and her boyfriend—neither of them has a job; in this economy it’s SO hard to find work. Anyway, we’re all cramped in this apartment, and I’m trying to make the best of it. Unfortunately, I have nosy neighbors who have nothing better to do than watch me and my family struggle and gossip to each other about us. I see them go to church every Sunday and I wonder, “What’s up with that?” Well, when my daughter moved in with a crying baby that started the ball rolling. One of the neighbors—I have a really good idea which one—complained to the landlord about all the people living in my apartment. So, the cat was out of the bag, so-to-speak.

I have a limit as to how many people can live in the apartment. The landlord verbally wanted me to pay extra rent for all the extra people living there, but I simply could not afford it. I continued to pay the regular amount, hoping he would have compassion and see that I was just trying to do the best I could for my family.

“What if it was your family?” I asked the landlord the last time I spoke with him.

“It doesn’t matter. You signed the lease and the lease specifically states that if you have additional people living here, there is an additional cost.”

After a couple of months, we ended up in court. I was so stressed out and tired. Tired of battling with him, trying to get my older daughter a job, dealing with my younger daughter’s heart condition and then coping with my own health issues—I have multiple sclerosis. The court ruled that if I did not pay the money, I would be evicted.

I couldn’t pay it, so I am—all of us are—being evicted tomorrow.

Please, please pray for my family and me during this desperate time. Pray for us to find a place to settle into that will accommodate all of us. I really want my granddaughter to grow up in a stable environment and go to some decent schools as she grows up. Pray for my older daughter to get a job, and maybe dump the deadbeat boyfriend. Pray for my younger daughter to be healed. And pray for me as I deal with complications from multiple sclerosis.

I appreciate you taking the time to listen to my story and then taking time to pray. Thank you so much, you have no idea how much this means to me and my family.

I am including my contact information in the optional e-mail address and phone number fields at the bottom of this web page. You can call or write me—that’s fine.

By the way, the scriptures you have on this web page are perfect. As I am writing this, my anxiety level is not as bad as it was when I started typing, and the panic attacks are gone. I’m still crying and heartbroken and I probably will be until this storm passes. Even though my heart aches, the peace of God is guarding my heart from further pain.

Again, I thank you.


“and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:7 New King James Version (NKJV)
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This article has been read 1179 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/15/12
This just tore at my heart. I'm not sure if the story is truly yours or if this a creative way to write your story. Either way, God has laid you on my heart and know I am in prayer. Dear lord, Please bless all of those who are struggling financially. There are so many people who are terrified right now. I know you have a plan that we can't even begin to imagine. Thank you for the ways you answer prayers. I was so stressed about paying for my daughter's graduation when you whispered in my sister's ear to send me some money. At first I was too proud to take it but then I realized that her money was between her and you, not between my sister and me. Thank you for the revelation that help may come in ways we may not expect but gives us the courage to recognize your hand in it. Amen
Leola Ogle
06/15/12
This moved my heart so much! I have been in similar circumstances in the past as a single mother struggling just to pay rent and keep food on the table. My heart goes out to the MC. Great job of drawing the reader in. God bless!
Patsy Hallum 
06/17/12
I have had requests along this same line. You put it so eloquently. Thanks for a good read. Keep writing!
C D Swanson 
06/17/12
You will be in my prayers...All of you. This piece was moving and certainly on topic. Most of us struggle with issues. "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me"Philippians 4:13. Amen.

Thank you for this story...God Bless you~