Homeless but Not Hopeless: How One Mom’s Faith Changed Everything

When everything is falling apart, chaos is the new normal, and all you want to do is give up — it’s then and there that you have the greatest opportunity to show your children what faith looks like.

We recently talked with Tameka, who shared how she grew up homeless alongside her mom, Melzina, and her brother, moving between shelters and hotels during difficult seasons.

“I had a rough childhood,” Tameka said. “But even in the middle of all the craziness, my mom, never stopped trusting God. Whenever we got evicted or had to move again, she prayed, read her Bible, and spoke scripture over us. Finances were unstable, and she didn’t have all the answers, but her faith never failed.”

         Eventually they found permanent housing, and Tameka graduated college! 

One of mom’s favorite verses was Bible Hebrews 11:1:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Now raising children of her own, Tameka says her mother’s example still impacts the way she lives and parents today.

“Jesus is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I want my children to know Him for themselves,” she said. “More than money, a home, or anything this world could offer, the greatest thing my mom gave me was a relationship with Jesus.”

This Mother’s Day, Tameka shared a simple message for her mom:

“Mom, I love you so much. Thank you for every sacrifice you made for us, especially during the hardest seasons. Thank you for showing us what it means to love Jesus. More than a house, money, or anything this world could offer, a relationship with Jesus is the greatest gift you could’ve ever given me. Happy Mother’s Day.”

If you're a mom walking through pain this Mother’s Day, maybe your life doesn’t look the way you thought it would. Maybe you’re still waiting on an answered prayer, or maybe the answer was “no.” I pray Tameka and Melzina’s story reminds you of the power you hold to shape your children’s faith. God is near, no matter what it looks like, His Word is true, and you, momma, are blessed. 

 

Happy Mother's Day! 

With love,

Your friend,

Reyna Reyna

 

Listen to what Tameka shared on the radio here: