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Tough Choice: Food or Gas

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Erika and her son Jeremiah love spending time being active together.

“I work at a gym and teach gymnastics, and so I guess it was kinda natural that he picked it up,” Erika says. “He actually started competing last year, and so far so good.”

Erika decided to homeschool her son so he could keep his education centered on God.

“My mom loves me a lot and I love my mom a lot,” Jeremiah shares. “I like being homeschooled because my mom can teach me.”

“Everything he learns pretty much comes from God’s Word,” says Erika. “We’re at church many times a week and there’s never a complaint from Jeremiah about going to church. He’s always excited and ready to go. It’s a real blessing to know that the Lord is working in his heart and his life.”

“I do love Jesus,” Jeremiah says, “and I love him because he loves me and he died on the cross for my sins.”

Erika works long hours to provide for her son.

“I’m a single mom,” she says. “I have to work two jobs to make ends meet. I work for Chesapeake Parks and Recreation. I teach preschool classes, and then I also work for Hurricane Gymnastics, where I’m a gymnastics coach. Finances are very tight, it definitely is a struggle.”

Erika said her faith in God sustains her.

“There’s been many, many nights after Jeremiah goes to bed, I’m just in my room on my knees,” Erika shares. “I take that opportunity to spend time with God and to give my burdens to him.”

When the bills have piled up, she’s made some tough choices.

“Many times I’ve had to say, ‘Okay, either we’re going to eat today or we’re gonna have gas to get to work today!’” she says. “And, usually, when it comes down to it, I have to choose gas because if I don’t go to work then there is no other income coming in. It’s hard when you realize food in the cabinet’s kinda running out and there’s no money in the bank account to buy more food to replace it.”

When a friend at church told Erika about Operation Blessing partner House of Blessing, she knew God had answered her prayers.

“I’ve been helped greatly,” she says. “To know that my son doesn’t have to go hungry, being able to sit down and share my story with somebody who cares and then for them to pray with me, I not only leave with my trunk full of groceries, I leave with my spirit renewed and my heart full of love.”

Having that prayer support and being able to put food on the table has lifted a heavy burden.

“I just want to thank everybody who gives and sacrifices what they have to give to Operation Blessing so that, not just my family, but so many families can be helped and blessed by this ministry,” Erika says. “Not only are you helping to feed our families, but you’re feeding our spirits. You’re helping people experience God’s love firsthand. Thank you for giving to Operation Blessing and blessing my family.”

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About The Author

Dan Reany
Dan
Reany

Daniel Reany works with domestic and international producers to share stories of God’s love changing people’s lives. His main focus is on CBN’s humanitarian work. He holds an MA in anthropology, and volunteers with the Order of St. John. In their spare time, he and his wife enjoy travel, medieval reenactments, and hosting events.