Homelessness doesn’t discriminate. More and more, it affects the elderly. Today, people like Naomi are seeking shelter for homelessness, addiction, abuse, and the life-debilitating depression it can cause. In times of great need, struggling women and women with children are turning to Christian shelters and recovery centers like Wayside Cross Ministries — Lifespring Center in Chicago area. People just like Naomi.

Depression can be a powerful force at any age. But at 62, Naomi had just lost everything, the man of her dreams, her mother, and now her home. 

For most, the golden years are something we look forward to.

Not for Naomi. On this day, it seemed the weight of the world was crashing down on her tiny frame. Depression. Panic Attacks, and the prospect of homelessness was more than she could bear.

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  ~ Psalm 34:17

You might say, Naomi was a professional caregiver by trade. However, when she needed help most, no one was there for her.  What she needed now was a little wellspring of hope.

“Not me, I just couldn’t imagine going to a shelter.”

 On hearing of her mother’s troubles, her eldest daughter came to check on Naomi. But, what could she do? Her situation didn’t look much better. So, she did the next best thing. She invited a close friend, the pastor of her church to come with her.

The two prayed with Naomi for about an hour and tried to give her an encouraging word.  Next, the pastor quoted a verse from scripture, after Jesus had been crucified, died, and then appeared to the Apostles to give them hope.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33 NIV

At that moment, there was something about this verse that seemed to reach down to her soul. As depressed as she was, the constriction around her heart seemed to ease.

Next, they talked about her options and the pastor mentioned a Bible-based Christian shelter for women. It was about 25 miles away, a place called Lifespring Center for women and women with young children. Lifespring is one of the six ministries at Wayside Cross, a 91-year old facility with a good reputation for helping women in her situation.

“It sounded like a place I needed to get to.”

 However, reflecting on the day she first entered Lifespring, she confessed:

“You know you hear about shelters, dirty, rough, but this place was different. It was unlike anything I could ever imagine.  The people were warm, friendly, and the place was so clean. It was like wow . . . I just walked into paradise.”

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

~ Philippians 4:8

Then, Naomi shared how she immediately felt this calming spirit wash over her. Somehow, it reminded her of a conversation in the Bible where Jesus said, “I am the living water, he who drinks of this water will never thirst.” 

“That was the moment, I don’t know, I just felt immediately at home.”

“Recovery . . . now that was another matter,” she continued, “Lifespring isn’t a place where you go to rest; there’s a little work involved.”

“They don’t make it easy on you here. There are chores, classes, Bible-study, preparing meals, helping others, and going to church. It’s not easy living with a bunch of other women either. But you know, you can make any situation easy or difficult depending on how you look at it.  I just chose to see the nice things about people.

Eventually, though, it gets better. I got better!

I thank God for this place,  Jody, the director, her staff, and all the people who volunteer and support Wayside’s Lifespring Center. You gave me my life back.”

It’s been over a year, and today, Naomi is a graduate of the program.

Now, she has her very own apartment.

“When you graduate, you get to move up to the 3rd floor in your own place and continue to stay while you work.”  She seemed to beam with excitement.

However, Naomi was saving the best news for last. 

Today, she is working and saving her money.  Moreover, the panic attacks are gone, and so is the depression. In its place, she says, “Is the real hope she found in Christ.”

While she talked about her new job as a nurse’s aid, and working with the elderly, a spark of joy showed in her eyes. 

“You know, I just love helping others.  I get to help them do what they can no longer do for themselves. Also, I try to look at serving them like I am serving Jesus.”  She paused in the realization of this joy she finds now, blessing others.

What’s more, she is also a resident assistant now at Lifespring, and it becomes clear her encouragement for others know no limits.

“You just never know who’s watching you. I try to give the other women in recovery here in the shelter what Lifespring has given to me.” 

Judging by the reaction of others, it looks like she is doing just that!

At her recent graduation, almost every woman in the audience had something positive to say about the way Naomi has helped them, including her employer! 

When you ask Naomi today, what kind of support or advice she gives other women coming to Lifespring’s recovery program for the first time, she’ll tell you….

“Pray, Pray, Pray… and then, pray some more. God led me here and He led you here too. Don’t give up. Stay encouraged. Humble. Open your heart and stick with the program. Work the program. Don’t let the program work you.”

It’s good advice for troubled women and single moms who look to Lifespring as a place of refuge. Best of all, she doesn’t seem too worried about the depression ever returning… 

“One of the most important things I learned at Lifespring is, you can’t read backward. Read forward. Always! Today is your book, your story. Read forward. Don’t let the enemy steal your joy. I’ve learned from yesterday, I’m living for today, and I’m hoping for tomorrow.”

On reflection, she only wishes there was a place to go to like this when she was a struggling single mom, trying to figure out how to make ends meet.

But, she is quick to remind others everything happens for a reason, and always, within God’s perfect timing.

“Since coming to Lifespring, I’m living now. This place brought me back to life. I realize that now, and I’ve got so much more to give.” 

Help more women like Naomi. Homeless, Addicted, and
Abused women and women with children are counting on you!

If you enjoyed this story and want to learn about other lives that were changed, click: Stories of Hope & Recovery

If you know someone in need of a safe place to recover and rebuild their lives call Wayside Cross Ministries’ Lifespring Center for Women or Master’s Touch for Men at (630) 892-4239.