Last week I was listening intently to the words of a song by Mandisa. The song was “Overcomer”. Part of the song goes like this:
“Everybody’s been down
Hit the bottom, hit the ground
Ooh, You’re not alone
Just take a breath, don’t forget
Hang on to his promises
He wants you to know You’re an overcomer
Stay in the fight ’til the final round
You’re not going under
‘Cause God is holding you right now
You might be down for a moment
Feeling like it’s hopeless
That’s when he reminds you
That you’re an overcomer”
I know, and have known, so many people that these words are so true about. Recently a very dear friend has been battling cancer. She has been thru chemo, breast and lung surgery, multiple radiation treatments and still has more surgery and physical therapy in the near future. She is a single Mom who has to work every day. Her strength and positive attitude continue to amaze me. She never gives up. She is an “Overcomer.”
Years ago I lost my dad to cancer. He went thru radiation and the cancer was gone for three months but then returned. Surgery was the next step. During the next of five months he went through seven major operations. Each time he would beat the odds and make it through the surgery. I had never thought of my dad as a really strong person. He had not handled sickness well in the past. I saw the dad I loved so much fight to live one more day for months. He was an inspiration a to me. He taught me to live every day like there is no tomorrow, to treat others the way I want to be treated, to never give up, stay in the fight, because only God knows the outcome. He was another “Overcomer.”
When you operate an Emergency Homeless Shelter you see people from all walks of life, and having to face not one, but many obstacles in life on a daily basis. Recently a single woman came to our shelter after being incarcerated. She had no place to go, no job, no family or friends to turn to. She felt like giving up. Who would hire her? Who would rent to her? Our staff just kept on encouraging her each day and continually told her there was a job out there for her and a place to live other than the shelter. She has since found full time employment, and will soon be moving into her own place. The joy and satisfaction you see in her face is beyond words. She is another “Overcomer.”
A couple of years ago our office helped house a lady who was into drugs and alcohol. I personally became her protective payee to help with her finances. She hit rock bottom and had to go through treatment. She has since come out on top. Several months ago she came to visit. She now lives in California, has a full time job, has a home of her own and is drug and alcohol free. She came back to see if I still worked here and to thank me for never giving up on her. She is another “Overcomer.”
I could go on and on. I meet so many people that inspire me every day. These a just a few. How many “Overcomers” do you know?
Cheryl Carter, Executive Director, Culpeper Housing and Shelter Services, 540-825-7434
Photo by Ryan Moreno on Unsplash