Moving On

Scripture Reference
Jeremiah 1:6-8 (NKJV) Then said I, "Ah Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth." But the Lord said to me:"Do not say, 'I am a youth', For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you," says the Lord.


So, a little background information would be helpful for you to understand or relate to our story.
I am the single mom of a 13 year old son and I also have two grown daughters with children of their own. When my son was 3 years old, I opened my own childcare business to allow me to support him and still be the one to raise him. It did very well until 2009 when the economy in Michigan was hit hard, along with the rest of the country. Clients were losing their jobs, parents were working opposite shifts to save money, and I had a rough time drumming up new business. This same summer, the father of my two oldest children passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. He was 43 years old. He had no life insurance or savings. Our children were devastated and we felt obligated financially as well.
During this same rough year, a good friend of mine from church passed away, we lost the land contract on our house, and my son was struggling badly in school. Up to this point, we were not rich but had what we needed and I was able to provide the "extras" all young boys ask for: video games, legos, sports participation, themed birthday parties. My son Zach, was very social and involved in activities at church and school. He had friends over several times per week to play with his newest gadget. It seemed to me like I was always spouting off a moral lesson or relating a scripture as Zach went through the normal, daily life of a boy. He would grunt, "Uh, huh" or "Yes, I know, Mom" and go about his business.
We went through another year and a half of difficult seasons. We lost pretty much every material thing we had and even sold our car. Part of this time, we stayed with family members. I am so grateful for them allowing us into their home, but no one in my family is a Christian, except me and my children. There were moral differences of opinion and some daily struggles. Some of my family is very well-off financially and own the latest gadgets, nice cars, etc. Part of me was happy that my son wasn't "suffering" in that regard. Inevitably, we had a disagreement among family members that we just could not work past and we were asked to leave.
My son and I were homeless for five months. With help from church members and community resources, we did finally move into a housing project that is based on income. Once we were physically moved in, I fell apart. We had no furniture, no car, no income. My son was moved to sell his belongings to help with costs. I felt terrible for him. (I did end up going back to school and getting a part-time job, but the first two months were really rough!) I heard murmurings among my family members about where I was living; a "rough" neighborhood. They made sarcastic comments about how I was such a "Christian" but had to live like this.

We have been in our new "digs" for several months now and I am amazed at the way things have come together. We have nicer furniture now than we did before we lost our house! God has moved in awesome ways to help us get on our feet. Most of all, the rough times has made me see the true character that has been created in my son. He is unselfish with his things and with his time. He encourages me when I need it and asks for help when he needs it. He is getting the best grades in school that he ever has. He has made one or two new friends, but is kind to all of the neighbors. I have had women come up to me and compliment me on my son's manners. He holds doors for them and carries their groceries. He smiles and says hello when he passes anyone in the hall or outside. He has been offerred to smoke a cigarette or to participate in little things he shouldn't. He always tells me and he simply says, "No, thank you." He has prayed for his fellow students on the school bus and invited them to church. When I start to feel bad about Zach not having the latest "stuff", he tells me he is really okay. He says things like, "Mom, I am so much richer than you think. I have you and God. I have a great church and new friends. I feel really good about being here."
My family was concerned about the influence of our new neighborhood, but I am here to tell you that my son has been the influence on many of them. There are groups of kids or teenagers outside that like to act tough. They refuse to move out of the way for adults or cars passing by. They move for my son. He just says, "Excuse me." One time, Zach and I were walking to the rental office across a parking lot when a group of five teens were gathered, smoking and swearing. One of the teens I didn't recognize started blocking our path and grumbling "What the f*** are you looking at?" Another one, a resident, touched his arm and said, "Hey man, don't talk like that around them. That ain't cool. That's Little Preacher Man and his mama." Hmmm, I like the sound of that.