In the region where I live, the cost of housing and the lack of resources to meet housing needs have increasingly led to substandard living conditions and homelessness for many people. These situations can feel overwhelming. Even before the recent disastrous weather conditions in California, which have made things worse, some in my community had been living on the margins financially. As I prayed about these needs, I was reminded of an experience I’d once had regarding home and supply. This experience led me to ask God for guidance, resulting in a practical solution.

Fresh out of college, I took a short-term job as an educator for an environmental program. Although my housing was provided during the week, I needed to find weekend housing for an extended period of time. My budget didn’t allow for hotels or similar solutions, but I was able to find a room for rent from a woman in a nearby town. The location was not ideal, but I was genuinely grateful for the safe and homey refuge. 

One weekend when I arrived home, I was distressed to find that the owner had permanently rented my room to another tenant. Suddenly, I was out on the street with few options. I was in tears when the homeowner took pity on me and said I could sleep in a spare bed for one weekend. While I was grateful for her offer, I knew I needed to pray about a more permanent solution.