MY PLUNGE INTO POVERTY

MY PLUNGE INTO POVERTY

After losing my job at Central Christian Church I was unable to find another job. So I started selling on ebay. I did pretty well for a few years until the economy crashed. Then people started hanging onto their money for fear of the unknown. I don't know how I made it through those years except by the grace of God and help from family members. I won't mention names because they are trying to follow the Bible passage "do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing." Or maybe it's just me that is considering that verse. I don't think so. I will say that I have wonderful siblings, wonderful kids, and wonderful extended family members.

It has still been a struggle. I went from $21,400 a year to $800 a month guaranteed income. I swore all of my life I would never go on public aid just as Mom and Dad swore. But here I am at the lowest point financially other than being homeless. I've had to swallow my pride and pride is a hard pill to swallow. I do get $189 a month for food and I have Medicare and Medicaid. I get help from Ameren through the PIPP program. I found out that through the weatherization program I could get a new water heater, furnace, A/C unit, and refrigerator, which I did. I got all new LED light bulbs and smoke detectors and a few replacement filters for the furnace. So that took a lot of worry off of me -- and my kids. Less than 10 years ago I applied for a grant to get a new roof and was accepted. I needed one badly.

I have no shame in getting my clothes and dishes from thrift shops. I consider myself resourceful. I would rather have all new clothes but it's no biggie. I do feel some shame using my LINK or EBT card for food. I know how people gripe about us poor people taking money out of the pockets of taxpayers. I'm afraid the person or persons behind me in line at a store will start griping about my using a LINK card. I try to correct people on facebook who are griping about the poor, all inclusive, and let them know it is the lazy poor who are taking money out of their pockets, not the truly needy. Christians should understand that better than non-Christians.

Maybe God wants me in this position so I can defend the poor. I have always had a heart for the poor because we grew up poor, at least to a certain age. I was in high school before I started feeling as if we were no longer poor. We didn't have extras but we were getting by a lot easier. Jamie is the only one that was able to get braces.

The Overturf family was poor financially in the early years but we were rich in family members. Ours was the "go to" house for our friends. We always had help, someone to encourage me, someone to weep with me, and someone to celebrate with me -- and the twins and Sharon to beat up anyone that messed with me. We siblings fought like cats and dogs with each other at times, but nobody better mess with anyone in the family. 

Music was a big part of our lives. Mom played the piano by ear and could sing and harmonize. Carolyn sang soprano and Marilyn did the harmony. Or we would just dance to rock 'n roll music. There was never a dull moment in our house. We were among the richest families. And we still are.