Prompted to Reach Out for Help

“They helped me catch a glimpse of what He sees in me.”

My life was in a downward spiral when I felt prompted to reach out to an old friend who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I had no idea what she could do for me, but she had shown such kindness to me in the past that I thought, “If anyone can help me, she can.”  She put me in touch with the bishop of a local ward in the Church, but I was plagued by the thought, “Why would he want to help someone like me?”

I was surprised by his willingness and the help that he offered.  I asked for help with an electric bill.  What I received was so much more—a referral to participate in the Deseret Industries program.  This opportunity made me nervous, yet I had hope that perhaps things would change for me.

When I went for my interview, I was asked just one question when I began sobbing!  I made it through, but left the interview feeling that there was no hope.  I thought to myself, “Why would she hire me, when I can’t even make it through an interview?”

I hit bottom.  With my last $50, I rented a storage locker and proceeded with a plan to end my life.  Then the phone call came that changed everything—I was asked to report to work on the sales floor at Deseret Industries.  

While working at DI, I realized that I was actually good at something.  With that realization, my self-confidence began to emerge.  However, there still remained the question, “I am not a member of their Church, so why should these people care about me?”   With the kind words and support of the DI staff, I began to see the hand of God working in my life.  They helped me catch a glimpse of what He sees in me.

I was offered an opportunity to participate in a business partnership.  This incredible experience was with a community organization that deals with social issues, including homelessness.  The director was so impressed with my work and the compassion I showed with clients, that she offered me a job.

I can now answer the question of what the LDS faith could do for me and am looking at it in a different light. I will be forever thankful.

“My life was in a downward spiral when I felt prompted to reach out to an old friend who was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

For more amazing stories like Kim’s, visit the DI’s Facebook page by clicking here.