It has now been a month since our Game of LIFE banquet but the theme isn't leaving my mind.  For those who were unable to be there - here is why it was named so. 

In one way or another, whether practically, spiritually, purposefully or otherwise, we are all playing the game of LIFE.  Yes...remember the game some of us grew up with?  The small cars, the pegs, the spinner?  We all start the game from the same general place.  Most people have dreams for how they would like for their life to play out.  Some common dreams many share are going to school, getting a good job and starting a family among others.

During the 'game', we make some decision which affect our dreams.  We also intentionally go one way or the other.  Other times, still, we intend to go one direction but one spin takes us somewhere else.  That is the place in life many of the single moms and widows we serve come to our doors. At the moment, they find themselves either lost in the game or in a part of the game they did not wish to go.

During the banquet, we had some "game cards" at each table which [we hope] helped share some of the decisions that our clients have to make - sometimes on a daily basis.  Here they are...take a few moments.  What are your answers?

• How much did you spend on your most recent car repair?
• Your only car just broke down...how will you get to work tomorrow?
• Have you ever felt taken advantage of at a car repair shop?
• Do you know any single parents or widows in need?
• You are a single parent of three and you have to be at work by 7:00 am... how do you get your kids to school at 8:00am?
• You only have $300 in your bank account…You have $75.00 in bills to be paid; Your kids need new school supplies your car brakes are down to the rotors.  Do you buy school supplies for your kids or repair your car?
• Your husband of thirty years just died and he always took care of the car repairs. You just took your car in for an oil change and they are telling you that your transmission is bad... Where do you go and who can you trust?
• $750 is due for rent next week and your car is inoperable with estimated repairs of $675.00. You just got a new job across town and you will lose it if you can’t get there...What do you do? 

For the single parents and widows we have the pleasure of serving, an inoperable car can mean the difference of getting their kids to school or not.  The car allows the to get to work.  Without a car, many times a job is lost, without a job, rent/mortgages cannot be paid and without that - homelessness.  Two-thirds of all homeless families are women and their children.

We have the incredible opportunity to offer a "do-over" spin from time to time in the lives of these dear women - what a blessing that is for us collectively.  Being a small part of a chapter in their lives is like a ministry to us at Hands.