[Music] good evening judges my name is elizah Carter and I'm 42 years old for 20 years I had the honor of serving this country as a soldier in the United States Army but I never thought my toughest battle would come after I hung up my uniform when I retired I had plans dreams even I was going to use my pension to buy a little house in Birmingham take care of my mama and give back to my community but life has a way of testing you in ways you can't imagine a man claiming to be a
financial adviser for veterans approached me he told me he could double my pension with safe smart Investments he seemed genuine someone who understood the struggles of soldiers trying to make a life after service I trusted him I handed over my pension paperwork and every bit of my savings believing I was securing a future for myself and my mama that man disappeared a few months later he wasn't who he said he was my money my pension my security it was all gone I tried to fight it I went to the VA to lawyers to anyone who
would listen but there was nothing they could do the system failed me and and just like that I went from being a decorated veteran to being homeless I lost my apartment worse than that I lost my mama she got sick and I couldn't afford the care she needed watching her slip away while I couldn't do anything to help her it broke something inside me I thought I'd already face the worst life could throw at me but this this was a pain I wouldn't wish on anyone when I ended up on the streets of New York
City I felt invisible people walked past me like I wasn't even there I went days without eating nights without sleeping but even in those moments I never let go of my faith I'd sit on a park bench or in a subway station clutching the wooden cross my Mama gave me and I'd pray I'd say Jesus I don't know how but I know you'll make a way I know you see me one night when I was at my lowest I started humming an old gospel song My Mama used to sing it wasn't for anyone else I
was just trying to hold on to hope but people started stopping they listened some even joined in for the first time in years I didn't feel invisible that moment reminded me that even when life strips everything else away you still have your voice and your your voice can change the world one person at a time since then I've been singing wherever I can on the streets in shelters wherever people will listen I don't sing for money I sing to remind people and myself that no matter how dark it gets there's always light you just have
to hold on long enough to see it I'm standing here tonight because I believe in second chances I believe Jesus brought me to this moment not just for me but for everyone out there who feels forgotten lost or beaten down by life I'm here to show them that your story isn't over that God has a plan even when it feels like everything is falling apart this stage this microphone this opportunity it's a gift and I'm not going to waste it when I sing tonight I'm singing for every veteran who's been left behind every person who
feels invisible and everyone who's holding on to hope with nothing but Faith to carry them thank you for giving me this chance to share my story I hope when you hear my voice you'll hear more than just a song I hope you'll hear a testimony a reminder that no matter how far you fall with faith you can rise again [Music] Mama used to sing by the window pain through the hard times through the rain her voice was soft her faith was strong she said child keep your heart in the Lord's song When The World Turns
cold and your soul feels small kneel down and pray he hears it all oh Jesus guide my weary feet through the trials through the heat mama said you light my way and bring me strength for another day oh I'm holding on through the pain and strife cuz you're the hope that keeps me alive [Music] I remember her hands worn but kind her Bible open her faith alive she told me stories of a savior's Grace said no storm can ever erase his face though she's gone her words remain a light in the dark a bom for
the pain oh Jesus guide my weary feet through the trials through the heat mama said you light my way and bring me strength for another day oh I'm holding on through the pain and stri cuz you're the hope that keeps me [Music] [Music] alive when I'm lost in the shadows and the nights are long I hear her voice like a sacred song Lift Your Eyes to the heaven child don't you cry the Lord will man what the world Let Die oh Jesus guide my weary thing through the trials through the heat mama said you light
my way and bring me strength for another day oh I'm holding on through the pain and stri cuz you're the hope that keeps me alive so here I stand with her song in my heart even when life's tearing me apart Mama I'll sing until my soul is free Jesus I know you'll Carry Me me when the nights grow [Music] cold and the road feels [Music] long I hear her voice like a sa [Music] song she said hold on child though the darks suround Jesus will lift you where hope is found Carry Me Home through the
storm and rain Lift Me Above All the hurt and pain mama your love and his light will show the way to peace oh Will Carry Me Home her hands once held mine when the world fell [Music] apart she taught me to trust with a faithful [Music] heart though she's on her prayers we remain guiding my soul through the ache and stray Carry Me Home through the storm and rain Lift Me Above All the hurt and pain mama your love and his light will show way to peace oh carry me home so I'll sing her song
in FA th RO with Jesus beside me he'll carry me oh ooh [Music] caring me home through the storm and rain Lift Me Above All the hurt and pain mama your love and is light will show the way to peace oh can me home [Music] I'll sing her song in faith I'll roong with Jesus beside me he'll Carry Me Home Elijah I've been doing this show for a long time and every once in a while someone walks onto this stage and reminds us why we're here tonight that someone is you your story is one of
unimaginable pain resilience and hope to hear what you've been through and then to hear that voice it's extraordinary you took all of that heartache all of that struggle and turned it into something so raw so beautiful and so honest that song wasn't just music it was a prayer a message and a gift to everyone in this room you stood here vulnerable wearing the weight of your past and you gave us everything your tears your voice your faith they touched something deep in all of us I don't think there's a person in this audience who wasn't
moved by what you just shared I think your mama would be so proud of you she'd see the man you become the strength the dignity and the faith you've carried through everything you're not just a singer Elijah you're a reminder that no matter how broken the world makes you feel there's still a chance to rise to heal and to inspire others you said earlier that you believe in second chances well let me tell you this is yours you've just given the performance of a lifetime and I think this might be the beginning of something truly
incredible for you [Applause]
