Thanksgiving Day seems like a perfect day to explain how it ended. When I got back to Carol's house, she was very understanding and said she did not intend for me to feel I had to leave. That made me feel a teensy bit better but I knew there had to be another option.
The next morning I was up early and at the dog park. My friend Delores, a lady in her 70s, was there with her dog Mocha, a large chocolate lab. Delores was also having a difficult time since she had to close her small business several months earlier. She had been looking for work ever since, but nothing was working out and she was struggling to put food on the table.
When Delores heard my problem she immediately insisted Red and I move in with her. For the next ten days we had a great time together, watching old movies, sharing meals and playing with her dogs. My social security money came and I was able to stock her pantry. Ben came to dinner every few days, finally getting out of the house and making a new friend.
At last the day of the hearing arrived. I had no doubt the judge would rule in my favor since I came armed with the original police report and had Ben as a witness that I hadn't slapped Leonard. The hearing took over an hour. It finally ended when Leonard's said I had tried to kill him by punching himin the ears with two fists. The police report showed that they had examined him withiin an hour of the alledged incident and found no marks or redness.
When the judge said that he had first said I slapped him he screamed "I never said that". At that point the judge ruled and had the bailiff escort him to his truck. So my troubles weren't over but my homelessness was. Ben and I went back to Delores' place to report in and later that night I was in my own bed with my dog sleeping beside.
So why did I originally say this was one of the best things that ever happened to me? Because that afternoon when I was sobbing in my car, I had done everything I could do and was brought to one of the lowest points in my life. And my Lord said "Be still and know that I am God".
I was carried through the two weeks by the Lord working through his servents Carol and Delores. I got to know each of them far better than I would have otherwise and know that they, like me, are very flawed people. But they reached out to me in love and appreared when I needed them and I know this was by design, not chance.
Do I still worry about the future? Sure, but not like before. I still have financial problems caused by the amount I had to pay Leonard to leave, but I know I'll find my way through. I just have to do my best and trust God to do whatever else is needed to get me to where He wants me.
Love to you all.
Amy
