What a Week for our Homeless
What a Week for our Homeless
This has been a difficult week for all my homeless friends. Many are just finding out that they will probably not get their food stamps this month. Many will find out when they go to buy food and there is nothing in their account, as they don’t have access to media, and have very basic capabilities on their government phones.
It’s been a hard week for me as well, as I watch people I care about panic about food. Such a basic need in the wealthiest country in the world.
I will be honest. I have become frustrated with people, institutions and organizations who think because they had one experience with a homeless person, or because they are more concerned with themselves or their image than others- that they have any kind of grasp what these people are REALLY going through. Some base their beliefs on the homeless on ill- advised and bad theology, some base it on a Ted Talk they heard one time about Enabling, and a million other substitutes and excuses for not having to spend more that 10 minutes with them. On the other hand, I realize there are also people who are genuinely afraid to engage. I so understand that. I was there once. Overcoming this is something that will change your life. I am also very aware of a small group of people who really dig in to help this community. I can understand why it is not for everyone, but it is my hope that those who are not involved will at least do no harm with rhetoric that is not helpful.
I do wish that some of the ministries would realize that the needs that are to be addressed first are far from how to manage your budget, how to clean your room, how to present yourself at a job interview (which all have an appropriate place and time) BUT very few classes if any on: What to do with your anger, Learn to Trust Again, Your Addictive Personality, or a million other topics that are more immediate in need. I can think of one place in Murfreesboro (Woodbury), bless them, they have such a small budget and only a few they can take in, but they know how to dig into the hard stuff.
If you walk with a homeless person you are going to feel manipulated, frustrated, taken advantage of, spend nights worrying if they are going to freeze to death, or overdose. You are also going to have moments of grace you have never had the opportunity to experience, and you are going to learn the extent of which you were made to love. You will likely hear the words, “Thank you for not giving up on me”. The rich might give money, and that is great. It is needed, but they also need companionship, love, somebody to talk to. They are lonely and alone. They walk ALL DAY LONG, as the police tell them to move along from one place to another. They walk and they walk.
Yes, it is possible that their situation is a result of their mistakes, and you would want to have a stopping point and realize when it is not going to work, but for God’s sake, it takes time. Many homeless victims had very little control over what happened to them. The trauma these people have experienced, especially veterans and battered women, create all kinds of mental issues and dependencies. That is not to say that all homeless have serious mental issues. It’s messy and it’s hard
I am so GRATEFUL for the people I know who are willing to get dirty, get into the trenches, and love on these people. They are our people. Somewhere along the way, many Americans have learned the opposite of love your neighbor, and expectations have become downright cruel. I am sure you have heard one or more of the common comments about the homeless. I always defer to – If it doesn’t look like or sound like love, it’s probably not.
“Pull yourself up by the bootstraps and move on”.
“I didn’t get any help, and you shouldn’t either”.
“I don’t give them a damn thing because they are abusing the system”
“If they would just get a job, it would fix all their problems”
“If I give a homeless person money, they are just going to buy drugs or alcohol”
“If a person is homeless they probably did something to deserve it”
“Homeless people shouldn’t have pets”.
If you would like to help in some way monetarily, please respond in the comments. I work with a small ministry- The Yard at Stones River Church. A ministry with a big heart. We feed the homeless, provide clothes and resources – and soon, I am proud to say, we will offer group and private sessions to help them maneuver this world! I will send you a link.
WE NEED LOCAL VOLUNTEERS AS WELL! WE FEED ON THURSDAY NIGHTS! YOU WILL BE BLESSED. Even if you would like to cook up a big pan of something that freezes well and drop it off, or bring your Sunday School Class to cook one night, we will let you do that! We feed anywhere from 20 -45. These are the sweetest and most interesting people!
Call 615-896-1821 (Stones River Church) and press option 2. Leave a message and I will personally call you back!
Diane
