All things work together for good!

"Hey, why are we sleeping on the floor, Mom?" my four-year-old son asked as I pulled out a mattress and placed it in the middle of the hallway in a storage facility on 173rd and Halsted. "We don't have a place to live right now, honey," I replied, trying to hold back tears. I didn't want my son to see me crying, so I put on a brave face, even though I felt like my world was falling apart.

You know, I was going through a really tough time back then. I was only 26, and I had just been evicted from my second apartment. I lost everything – my job, my car, all my furniture. My son and I were left with just a few things, like his race-car bed, some appliances, books, and a bag of clothes. It was a really low point in my life.

We'd spend our days at the library, reading, playing, and drawing until it closed. Then we'd grab a bite, shower at a neighbor's, and head back to our storage unit. The office closed at 7 pm, but we could still get into our unit 24/7. So every night, I'd take out a blanket and a little mattress from my son's race car bed and set up our sleeping area in front of the unit. We'd sleep in our coats and shoes until the office opened in the morning. To help my son fall asleep, I'd make up stories about faraway galaxies and imagine our future home. Most nights, I'd stay up till dawn while he slept, catching up on rest during our library visits.

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I had been evicted once before, and stayed with family and friends, but they all ended in me being kicked out. This time my pride and embarrassment wouldn’t allow me to ask anyone for help. I'd just escaped another relationship that almost cost me my life and, for a moment, felt like I didn’t matter to anyone anyway. At this point, I had a me against the world mentality. 

The echoes of past traumas reverberated through my mind, clouding my judgment and distorting my sense of self-worth. The scars from the abusive relationships still fresh, I found it increasingly difficult to trust others or even myself. In the darkness of my despair, the mantra of "me against the world" became both a shield and a sword, a declaration of defiance in the face of the cards I've been dealt. But deep down, I longed for understanding, for a glimmer of hope to pierce through the darkness and show me a way out of the abyss. And so, with a heavy heart and a weary soul, I stood at a crossroads, torn between my pride and my need for assistance. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with challenges and uncertainties, but deep within me, a flicker of resilience burned bright, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light waiting to guide the way. I had no other choice but to lean on The Most High God.

After following this routine for five days, I found myself without clean clothes and lacking funds to buy food. It dawned on me that my stubborn pride was putting my son at risk. Despite my self-reliant attitude of "I can handle this alone", I came to the realization that I needed assistance. Divine intervention came to light while waiting at a bus stop when I discovered The Mission, a homeless shelter in Chicago. Unfamiliar with this shelter, I decided to call around 11 p.m. and was promptly invited to come in. However, after a few weeks, I was asked to leave due to a disagreement with another mother regarding my now 18-year-old son who was 4 at the time. I was then directed to Ubuntu, a shelter catering to abused women, where I found solace among fellow single mothers facing similar challenges. In the Bantu language, Ubuntu translates to "humanity" and embodies the idea that "I am because we are". It signifies the profound connection that unites all of humanity through shared experiences.

My time there was a profound learning experience that challenged my misconceptions about homelessness and taught me valuable lessons about myself. The women I met were not what I had assumed every homeless person to be – struggling with addiction. Instead, like me, they were survivors of domestic violence. Our presence there was a result of various factors such as poor relationship choices, financial struggles, self-esteem issues, lack of support, and distant connection with God. Despite facing one of the darkest periods in my life, this chapter brought about a transformative journey that helped me find my light. It felt like rock bottom, yet it became the foundation for years of healing and personal growth; it became my launching pad.

In the midst of Ubuntu, I found solace as I worked through abandonment, rejection, depression, and childhood traumas stemming from the loss of both my parents. It was a place where I untangled soul ties, unearthed limiting beliefs, and overcame negative thought patterns that kept me in a low emotional state. During this phase, I nurtured a deeper bond with myself and God.

It's ironic how, in a situation that seemed like it would break me, I discovered my true value, underwent a rebirth, and embraced my purpose; this experience was building me up.

After a year of living there, I managed to save enough money to afford a two-bedroom apartment for myself and my son, Champ, and also to return back to school at MacCormac College in Chicago to study Court Reporting. I had even made the decision to go back to Ubuntu to establish an outreach ministry for the moms. During my time at the shelter, I connected with other mothers during shared dinners where we exchanged testimonies. However, when I found myself in another abusive relationship and facing eviction once again, I realized I was caught in a harmful cycle. Despite having a job, possessions, and achieving self-sufficiency, it seemed like my core beliefs about myself, and my worth remained unchanged. The only toxic relationship I had was with myself, and everything else mirrored that. This realization profoundly influenced my decisions, leading me on a new journey of self-reflection. Seeking guidance from those who could help me understand the roots of these beliefs. I immersed myself in books, sermons, and motivational talks from inspiring individuals, who became my mentors in my healing process.

This inspired me to establish a comprehensive coaching program aimed at supporting single women. The objective was to empower them in overcoming and changing limiting beliefs and thought patterns that influenced their behavior and decision-making for themselves and their families.

Shortly after, I received insight from Divine Spirit regarding a metaphor comparing a single woman's life to a four-course meal. Each course symbolized key areas and relationships in her life, leading to the creation of "Step Up to the Plate of L.I.F.E. (Living in Full Excellence)," my first life-coaching program and book. Nourishment, including food and essential substances for growth, health, and well-being, formed this concept’s cornerstone.

It was revealed that many women, me included, were experiencing spiritual malnutrition, characterized by inadequate or imbalanced food intake crucial for health and growth. Despite consuming physical food, our hearts, minds, and souls were lacking nourishment. We were indulging in harmful spiritual consumption but neglecting foods that promoted healing. My current mission is to support women in accessing the spiritual nourishment they require to flourish.

Being homeless as a young 25 year old mom taught me resilience in ways I never imagined. Each day presented a new set of challenges, from finding a safe place to sleep to securing enough food for my child and myself. The hardships I faced made me more determined to create a stable and loving environment for my child. It also instilled in me a profound sense of gratitude for the simple things in life that many take for granted—like a warm bed, a hot meal, and the comfort of knowing we have a place to call home.

I emerged from that difficult period with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of what it means to persevere. It shaped me into a more compassionate and empathetic person, always ready to lend a hand to those in need, because I know firsthand how transformative a little kindness can be.

All things work together for your good even those things that seem burdensome