Losing her job in Tennessee and homeless for a year and a half, Poet Marsha McIntyre saw the hand of the Good Shepherd, answering prayer and making a way, every step of the way: From Tennessee to Portland to Everett and Sonrise.
By Marsha McIntyre
Marsha McIntyre shares her story and the poetry that was birthed by a life guided by Jesus and His Word below
It was December 22, 2021, just three days before Christmas. I was driving home from Tennessee back to Washington State. I had been working in Tennessee and was promised a transfer to Burlington. I just found out that I did not get the job transfer and would be ineligible for unemployment. My cat Taffy and I ended up with no money, no gas, and stuck in a parking lot in Portland.
All my life God has been so faithful. I wasn’t scared, just confused and shocked. God has always walked with me every minute of my life. I called roadside assistance, who couldn’t help with my fuel situation, but who called the police to check on me. When a police officer arrived, he took pity on me, and filled my tank with gas so I could get back to my hometown. When I arrived in Seattle, we stayed in my car on a side street. I kept warm with blankets at night and turned the heat on for Taffy every once in a while.
I heard of the Union Gospel Mission in Everett, so I headed north and waited for a bed to open up. None of the bathrooms in Everett downtown area were for public use, so my cat and I ended up sleeping in the car parked in the Quil Ceda Casino parking garage because it was open all night and they had a bathroom. Good thing I had a car. Thanks to God, we were “overlooked” by security at the Casino and stayed for two or three weeks. They even jumped my battery when it died!
As I look back, I see that God always provided a place for me out of the weather. One time, I was getting cramped in my car and I found a bus, doors unlocked, behind a church. I stretched out on the seats for 2 nights. I don’t remember ever being cold during the winter months and shade was provided for my cat during hot weather. I had a small fan I could charge and hook to the steering wheel for her.
In time, I got a bed at the shelter while Taffy lived in the car. Every morning I would start the car and turn on the heat for her, feed her, and clean her litter box.
In spring, I interviewed for a job. But I was so traumatized I could not speak. I just sat there as he asked questions. Months later, I totaled my car. I was able to leave Taffy with a friend. I left the shelter to stay with my friend and help with her house, but found she herself was on the verge of Alzheimer’s and it was too difficult to stay. I had problems myself. So I returned to the shelter to get my bed back and had to wait for one to open up.
I ran out of money and someone from a local church I was attending gave me motel rent. At one time, I remembered that I put some things in a storage locker as God directed and I slept out of the rain on the floor there for one night. When my social security check came, I got Taffy and took her to Northwest Animal Care Hospital for boarding. I paid for 2 weeks, believing God would provide for us. He did, as I got a bed back at the shelter.
Meanwhile the two weeks were up and when the clinic realized I was homeless it kept Taffy for another 2 weeks for no charge until I could find a foster home for her. The most wonderful people took her, took care of her and treated her special. A month later God provided a home for me and Taffy through someone I contacted months earlier who knew of someone who was opening up an apartment.
I was homeless for a year and a half and God provided so much more during that time I didn’t mention. Through it all, God has always walked with me and provided what I needed, if not what I wanted.
I now have an affordable apartment, and Taffy is with me. I miss having a car, but I am on a bus line that goes direct to Sonrise church.
Leave a Reply