I'm going to get uncomfortably vulnerable with you for a minute, I hope you'll stick with me.
Here it is: I've been struggling financially.
"Ha, big whoop," you might say. "Aren't we all?"
And maybe that's true.
But over the last year and a half, I haven't been able to make ends meet. Between car repairs, other unexpected expenses, and not having a full-time job while I worked on writing a novel, I haven't been able to pay all my bills every month. I've been building up some credit card debt — again, after proudly getting debt-free in 2021. And although change may be on the horizon, financial stress is just...tough to carry.
There's a point to this, I promise.
I live in downtown Indianapolis, and we all know that when you're in a large city, there's a high likelihood of seeing people who are experiencing homelessness. For me specifically, I pass Wheeler Mission's Center for Women and Children on my way home from work. I see the poor and struggling members of our city almost every day.
And every single time over the last year and a half, I think, "That could be me."
"That could be me sleeping on that picnic table. That could be me pushing what's left of my belongings in a shopping cart. That could be me waiting for my only meal of the day."
The only reason that is not me is because of the people in my life. My friends gave me a part-time job that I love when I needed some income. My friend offered me a cheap place to stay when I needed one. My friends drive me around when my old car is in the shop. My friends feed me dinner, pay for outings, listen to my processing, and encourage my plans to return to financial freedom. I am incredibly grateful for the people in my life, because, without them and the grace of God, I could be on the streets myself.
This year, as I look forward to competing in Strength in Our Streets again, I am so very invested in supporting Wheeler Mission and its wonderful work helping those who are struggling in our city. And now that cities can legally choose to arrest people who sleep in public places, it's even more important to fund places like Wheeler, to provide open beds on hot summer evenings and icy nights in the unforgiving midwest weather.
Will you join me in supporting a great cause? Your contribution will make an incredible impact, as all proceeds go directly to Wheeler. Even $10 makes a difference.
Thank you for reading this. And thank you, again, to all of my people, for supporting me in every way imaginable. I am so very grateful.
From Wheeler:
Wheeler Mission helps men, women, and children facing homelessness, poverty, and addiction. As a non-denominational, Christian, social services organization, Wheeler provides shelter, meals, residential programs, addiction recovery, and other critical programs without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, or religion. Founded in 1893, Wheeler is the oldest continuously operating ministry of its kind in Indiana. With nine locations throughout Indianapolis and Bloomington, it is the largest and most diverse ministry of its kind in the state.
