Kim Lengling was angry. She was bitter. She hated God and everything He stood for. Her marriage was over and her grandmother had just passed away. An old trauma reared its head and she felt overwhelmed.

It wasn’t until the Air Force veteran fell to her knees in a moment of despair that she felt God’s presence. Now she works with other veterans and shares with them the new hope she’s found.

Her Secret

For 15 years Lengling held onto a secret. She had been sexually assaulted, but she wouldn’t talk about it. She married and had a daughter, but 14 years later her marriage fell apart. The same year, her grandmother died. “I did not like God,” she said. “I was literally on my knees in my living room,” sobbing uncontrollably. She didn’t know who she was crying out to, but she said it was all she could do to cry, “Please, please, please!”

It was then, like a gentle whisper, she said, she heard the words: “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

It is a passage from Scripture (Isaiah 40:31), but Lengling had never opened a Bible in her life. “I had never heard it before,” she said, “But I was frantic to find a Bible.” When she found one, she sifted through the pages to find the verse, but couldn’t. She threw the Bible on the floor. The pages fell open to Isaiah 40:31.

“Okay, I hear You,” she said. She knew then that she had work on letting the assault go.

‘More Compassion’

When she started going to church, Lengling said, she had no idea why. She was still angry but kept going back. “God put me in the right church at the right time.” She began praying for people she’d never prayed for before. She’d become more protective and more tolerant of others.

She’d been an advocate for veterans for years, but now she realized that she could work with vets in a “better way, with more compassion.” “I have a different fire in my heart to help,” she said. “It makes all the difference in the world.”

Vets have lots of needs that the VA didn’t meet. She and a friend, Tina Schiefelbein, founded Embracing Our Veterans. The group helps veterans find housing, food and other necessities.

They wanted people to know that God was in control. They chose the motto “Grassroots and God-Driven.” Some people don’t like it, but she doesn’t mind. “I can see past that, because I’ve been there,” she said. She tells them, “Let’s talk about what’s really going on so we can help you.”

Success Stories

Alan Keller was homeless and suffered from PTSD, depression and anxiety. He had significant injuries he sustained in the military. At his wit’s end, he contacted the VA for help. They contacted Embracing Our Veterans.

Embracing Our Veterans helped him furnish an apartment. Lengling brought him food and even dog food for his dog Dink. “I was really contemplating doing something stupid,” said Keller, “she made me feel human again.” Lengling calls regularly to check up on him. “They’re good people with good hearts. They helped set things up, they prayed with me. … It’s heartwarming that there’s still people out there like that. If it wasn’t for them, I’d probably be dead.”

Kim Lengling, Dink and veteran Alan Keller. (Photo credit: Embracing Our Veterans.)

Lengling described another “success story” of a young marine who was in desperate need of help but didn’t want to ask. “His house was unliveable,” she said. “He was living with no furniture and the floors were falling through. Within two weeks, and the help of many volunteers, he had all new floors, a new bathroom and a car.” One donor paid for his registration and  another paid 6 months of insurance for the car. 

Lengling is quick to give credit to all of the volunteers and donors. “Everything we’ve done has been through donations and with the help of our volunteers.”

She also gives credit to God. “There is a strength inside me that I was not aware of,” she said. “I’m such a different person. And it’s all God. It’s all Him.”

She wouldn’t have chosen the life she had. “God gave that to me for a reason. It’s not a path I’d want anyone to go down. But I can see the path that goes before me now. Being brought to my knees helps me stand taller.”

‘Ridiculously Blessed’

Lengling now writes columns for USMILITARY.COM and speaks publicly at church, for civic groups and other events. She said that every time she shares her story, one person always comes up to her in tears. “It’s worth it when one person comes up,” she said, and every time she shares it hurts a little less. “I’m not alone. They’re not the only one. God’s angel army is watching over [us].”

Lengling described herself as “ridiculously blessed.” “Years ago I could not have [started the nonprofit]. God made me. … He’s given me the ability to write. I didn’t know I had that ability until I started writing.”

And the message? “I want my words to be what He wants people to hear. I want people to see His light shining out of my eyes. They don’t have to stay in the darkness. They’re not alone. They are worthy and loved.”