They are working families with children.
They are former veterans who served us.
They are not drunks and drug addicts.
After having an intense discussion with a misguided employee about the homeless (his theory is that all homeless people are crackheads who chose to and deserve to be homeless) I was reminded of an old article I wrote so I figured Id share it here.
I spent some time this week with a local homeless man. He is a Christian man, a kind and big hearted person. He made some mistakes in his past and lost everything. This happens every day to good people. Today you have a job, a home, a girlfriend, a life. Tomorrow you may not be able to fight the addictions you've fought for so long. Tomorrow you could lose that job, and then that home. It's just that easy. Today you are looking at the homeless man on the corner. Tomorrow you could be that man.
In theory, as good citizens, particularly as those who identify themselves as Christian citizens, we care about the homeless. In theory, we have compassion for these neighbors who are down and out. In theory, we want to help. Those theories are great... they make us feel good about ourselves.
The realities differ from those lofty theories. Granted, some of us do send money to our local Homeless Shelter, we do give to the Food Pantries, and to our Church Thanksgiving Basket program. That is a first step. It is a baby step. The reality is that this is not enough. The reality is that the need for help is overwhelming and unless we all truly look, truly seek ways we can reach out.
There's always talk of handouts, of donations, but let's not focus on those words for a minute. Focus instead on the people who are hurting. Yes, absolutely, handing a homeless mom five dollars as you pass her on the street is kind. But what is her name? Her kid's names? How is she hurting? What does she need? How can you pray for her today? Can you offer her something more?
Let's focus on more than the homeless as a number, more than as a handout situation. Let's focus on the people. What is her story? Does he need you to bring him one clean outfit so he can get that job? Does she appreciate that five dollars but wish you would've brought a blanket for the baby instead? Does he pray each night and dream of having his own Bible again? Does she know where she can get childcare assistance so she can work again?
The reality is that we are all blessed to have our homes, our jobs, our cars, etc. We in turn can be..should be.. a blessing to others. If you don't know how to start, ask someone. If you don't know where you could best be used, pray about it. Don't let those beautiful theories, those good intentions prevent you from truly helping those in need. Be a friend, a mentor, a prayer partner. Give more than a check during the holidays... give yourself.
That is so amazing, because we had a few homeless veterans come speak to our class a few weeks ago and one of the more powerful ones was a young man who became homeless the first time, because of his parents addiction and his desire to escape it. Those of you who don't have savings are a job loss away from being homeless. Homeless is not just those people you see begging on the street. Homeless is the kid who has no permanent address so he bounces from friend's to friend's to friend's house so that their parents don't notice and so that he doesn't either. Homeless is that lady that tried to get away from the husband that beat her and was unable to provide for herself and her children, because that man also kept her off the job market for the past 10 years.
ReplyDeleteMany homeless people are mentally ill and unable to take care of themselves properly, let alone find a home.
Addiction tends to be there, because these people who have found themselves homeless use alcohol and drugs to deal with the depression that comes along with being HOMELESS. Not all of them started addicted and became homeless.
Sorry about the rant love. You know this volunteer always has to add her own crap.
Another thing people must know is that homeless shelters and food service places get tons of health on the key holidays. They really need volunteers during the other times of the year, when there isn't a holiday. Hey celebrate your kids birthday by taking them to a homeless shelter. See how grateful they become for the small gift you bought them as well.
AMEN Heather a hug or a smile gose a long way too. We might be the only Christ they will see.
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