The Streets: Homelessness, Part 1
There is more than one type of homelessness. In this post I share examples of one type of homelessness, beginning with an experience from a former police officer:
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Unexpected Encounter
A former police officer found himself approaching a man who appeared to be homeless. The man had caught his eye, not solely because of his intimidating looks–for his arms, neck, and head were covered in tattoos–but because he was holding a copy of The Book of Mormon.
When the former police officer asked the man, whose name was Matt (*name has been changed), if he was homeless, Matt responded that, yes, he had been homeless for a month and a half because of his drug addiction.
When asked why he was holding a copy of The Book of Mormon, Matt shared that someone had recently handed him a copy of The Book of Mormon while he was standing at a bus stop. This surprised him, as there were several less intimidating-looking individuals standing nearby that the book could have been given to. The fact the the person had had the courage to hand the book to him led him to believe that it might be a sign from God. Therefore, riding several different buses, he made his way to the temple to find out more about The Book of Mormon. While on the beautiful and peace-filled temple grounds, he felt God telling him to check himself into a rehab center.
The former police officer encouraged Matt to follow through with his impression to check himself into a rehab center. He also encouraged him to read The Book of Mormon, and to return to the temple grounds when he had successfully completed rehab.
I returned home that day, eager to pray for Matt and his journey towards truth and light.
Recognizing Beauty
A large, homeless, tattoo-covered man, who appeared to be part of a gang, approached my friend on the temple grounds and said,
“It is so beautiful here.”
Pointing to the flowers she was setting out to be planted by others later that day, she said,
“Yes, we make these temple grounds beautiful for everyone in the community to enjoy.“
What the rough-looking homeless man said next nearly made my heart burst:
“May I plant some flowers?”
Only the tenderest of souls notice the beauty of the earth and desire to play a part in its creation.
When told that the flowers wouldn’t be planted until later that day, but that he could return at that time to help plant them, the guy, with disappointment in his voice, said that he would no longer be in the area at that time.
So my friend let him plant some flowers right then and there.
After tucking the flowers safely into their soil beds, the rough-and-tumble homeless guy stood and said, “I will always remember that I planted these flowers right here.“
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Homelessness Has a Face
If you look closely, homelessness has a face.
My friend knows many of the homeless by name.
She “sees” them, and they love her for it.
Each homeless individual has a story.
My children and I learned this years ago during an experience we had with the homeless.
Another Type of Homelessness
My heart has re-turned to the homeless this week.
There are so many of them.
The most obvious are those living on the street, seeking hope and a safe refuge; the less obvious are those who live in houses, but have no home. More on that in Part 2.
Though the world is increasing in darkness, it was stories of the homeless this week that reminded me that the world is also filled with light.
In what ways has the topic of homelessness impacted your life?
Read Homelessness, Part 2 Here.
Conclusion
As we do our part in our neighborhoods and communities, homelessness can become a thing of the past. The resources below can inspire you in your efforts to bless those in need.
Shop for items for the homeless here >>>
Homeless Quotes
“Most homeless kids are on the streets because they have been forced by circumstances that cause them to think that they are safer there than in any home they once knew.”
Jewel
“Poverty is the mother of crime.”
Marcus Aurelius
“Not everyone who’s homeless is a drug-addict or in need of mental health care. Some are normal people who’ve been knocked down, and it can happen to you too. Not all of us made bad life choices.”
Sherrilyn Kenyon
“If sometimes our poor people have had to die of starvation, it is not that God didn’t care for them, but because you and I didn’t give, were not an instrument of love in the hands of God, to give them that bread, to give them that clothing; because we did not recognize him, when once more Christ came in distressing disguise, in the hungry man, in the lonely man, in the homeless child, and seeking for shelter.”
Mother Teresa
“Before you ignore another homeless person on the street, just remember that that could be someone’s father or someone’s mother and they have a story.”
Syesha Mercado
“The biggest misconception about the homeless is that they got themselves in the mess — let them get themselves out. Many people think they are simply lazy. I urge those to make a friend at a local mission and find out how wrong these assumptions are.”
Ron Hall
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