The more I go downtown, the more I realize that problems of the homeless are no different than others in society. They struggle with unemployment, lost loves, drugs, and mental illness just like other people. The only difference is that they are homeless while the rest of us have a home. It might be a home with a mortgage payment way over due or a home of a relative or a parent. During this current economy everyone is affected by inadequate housing. Because of this situation, I wonder if the ranks of the homeless may increase in the future causing a shortage of funds for agencies that try to help the unfortunate. I know that a small percentage of homeless chose this as a life style. But most don’t. Most wonder, as one individual I talked to last night, how they got there. This individual said his father died and no one in his family loved him so he just took off and ended up in Greenville. He had adapted to homelessness. He works like everyone else but he lives in abandoned building. He developed a relationship with a “significant other” who cared about him and for what ever reason was willing to live on the street too. So he had sort of a family. He had someone who cared about him. Unfortunately for him last week she left him. He came in drunk and crying. He felt like no one loved him. We talked at length about his family. I suggested he try to contact them. He was reluctant to do this because he said they did not love him. I suggested that the worse that could happen is that he would be right. But the best that could happen, he could be wrong. And if he was wrong it could change his life. He decided to contact his sister that has not heard from him since 1992. I thought to myself that his family probably would be shocked to hear from him after all this time.
Paul continued to teach from the book of James. In verses 2 through 6 of chapter 1, there is an understanding that everyone will experience trials and tribulations, not just the homeless. It does not say “if” but “when” you experience. Of course, this is the result of our bad choices and/or because we live in a sinful world. But we will experience those trials regardless. God does not create those things but He does expect difficult reactions for Christians. First of all, these difficulties can produce patience. Also, it allows us to evaluate our faith. One aspect of saving faith is perseverance. Is our reaction to trials and tribulations result in turning to God or do we turn from God and sin? This is a real opportunity for us to peak into our own heart.
This Tuesday, we served 80 meals with the assistance of 21 volunteers. I want to thank John Hatfield, one of our volunteers, for the photograph of a poster in the room where we serve the homeless.
~Marc
Paul continued to teach from the book of James. In verses 2 through 6 of chapter 1, there is an understanding that everyone will experience trials and tribulations, not just the homeless. It does not say “if” but “when” you experience. Of course, this is the result of our bad choices and/or because we live in a sinful world. But we will experience those trials regardless. God does not create those things but He does expect difficult reactions for Christians. First of all, these difficulties can produce patience. Also, it allows us to evaluate our faith. One aspect of saving faith is perseverance. Is our reaction to trials and tribulations result in turning to God or do we turn from God and sin? This is a real opportunity for us to peak into our own heart.
This Tuesday, we served 80 meals with the assistance of 21 volunteers. I want to thank John Hatfield, one of our volunteers, for the photograph of a poster in the room where we serve the homeless.
~Marc
