Life is full of challenges. Each day presents its own obstacles. Some of these challenges seem to be more difficult than others. At times they are simple distractions, and at other times life’s problems seem insurmountable.
Recently, Angie Tyma experienced one of those terrible days. At 89 years of age, Angie was evicted from the home she had lived in for over 35 years. It seems that after the death of her husband, a family friend purchased Angie’s home. Angie made monthly rent payments to the family friend for many years.
Unfortunately, Angie was not aware that her family friend had stopped making payments to the bank. One very sad day, Angie and all of her belongings were evicted from the home. Angie described it as one of the worst days of her life. At 89 years old, Angie went to a local motel until she could find a new home.
When Angie’s neighbors saw all of her possessions lying on the curb, they knew they had to do something to help. Her neighbors collected her belongings for safekeeping. Angie’s neighbor, Danielle Calde, went to the bank that had repossessed the home and made an offer to buy the home herself. She was successful.
It took a little bit of time, but Angie’s neighbor purchased the home, and with the help of many others in the neighborhood, they were able to give the home a fresh coat of paint inside and out. They moved all of the possessions back into her home and invited Angie back into her home.
Although the day Angie was evicted was one of the worst days of her life, the day she moved back in was one of the best. Not only did Angie have her home back, but realized that she was not alone and had a community around her that loved and cared for her.
When the challenging times of life come our way, it is easy to feel abandoned and alone. Our faith teaches us that we are not alone. The God of love and mercy is with us everywhere we go. When we love God and love our neighbors, we find that even the most difficult of times – those days that seem overwhelming – are filled with love and hope because of the love of God and God’s people, our neighbors.
Rev. Keith King, Online Campus Pastor
