BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD.....

 

The photo of the gentleman above is not a pretty picture. Is it?

It is an ugly, despairing photo. A picture of disgust. A picture of all too many homeless people.

I don't speak of the man himself in that description. For he is just one of the millions that look like him. And that is what is disgusting. That people walk the streets, dirty, hungry, and in despair.

Along with all they go through on the streets, they also have to hear the jeers from the passer byes that ridicule them, judge them, and/or ignore them.

Bad enough that they live in other countries. Worse yet, they are in the United States. Because for many, they don't get the help they need to rise up out of their situations.

I get it. We don't want to give them our money that we have worked hard for. Our reasoning is that they will just use it to drink or buy drugs with.

But can I say this? BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, THERE GO I.

It's true, I might be where they are had it not been for God. My daughter said this to me a few months ago. "Maybe if I were in someone's shoe like that, I would need to drink or take drugs too."  Thankfully I have never been homeless. I have come close to it at times. But God has never let me beg for food, or not have a bed to sleep on at night. He has provided for me even through the very thin times of my life.

Now don't get me wrong. I do not allocate drugs and alcohol. But I  am sad for those that have to have it to survive.

I read something this morning that I want to share with you today on this subject that may clear up some things that we need to think about. 

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Practical Ways to Help the Homeless - Mocha Man Style

Panhandlers are a common sight in cities across America. In Houston, I encounter homeless people on a daily basis especially when I’m stopped at a traffic light and they aggressively start cleaning my windshield.

While most people get upset by this act, I try to support the men and women when I have some spare cash on hand.

“Why did you give him money?” My son asked after witnessing me hand a few dollars to one of these guys.

“Because he doesn’t have a place to live and he probably doesn’t have any food,” I said.

“Why doesn’t he just get a job?” My son asked.

“I wish it were that simple,” I said. “No one wants to be homeless, but many factors can affect a person’s life and leave him on the street.”

A few years ago, I volunteered at a homeless shelter once a week. While talking to the residents, I learned how complicated life can be.

At the shelter, I met all types of people – veterans, teachers, truck drivers, even a college professor with a Ph.D. Bouts with mental illness, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, and domestic violence were some of the leading causes of the residents’ homelessness.

Their stories were heartbreaking and their experiences affected me deeply.

Now, when I see homeless people on the street, I cannot ignore them. Although I don’t always give them money, I try to show some compassion by talking to them, looking them in the eye, and telling them about local shelters where they can get some assistance.

😢

Indeed. Who are we to judge them when we have no idea what they went through their life to get them where they are now?

I know someone that works at a church run food pantry. Homeless people come out of the woods to go to church there. Not to hear preaching or singing. No, those homeless people go in for the food they can get.

My friend made a comment about them just coming for food and not coming for services. She said they just want to take, take, take.  She was not doing it in a spirit of love at all. It was like she was begrudging them for being in their situations where food is what they were after.

Here she was, living in a nice home, and money coming in each month and having to pay for it when these people were getting free food and not having to do anything for it.

I didn't respond to that statement, but I wondered what she would think if she was in that kind of situation. I wonder how she would like living in the woods, instead of her nice apartment. 

Would she trade her life for theirs just because she worked for what she has, and they don't? NO!

It's true, that saying, "You can't understand someone until you have walked a mile in their shoes."

We have no right to judge them. In fact, the bible tells us to not judge others. Not anyone, and that goes for people that live on the streets, drinking out of a whisky bottle.

No, we can't save the world. But when we see someone in need, we can offer them even a dab of help. A kind word, a smile, or telling them that Jesus loves them.  Sometimes maybe a buck or two, buy a sandwich  for them or give them a coat. 

More suggestions on how to help homeless or poor people is on the site above, if you would like to check it out.

 In the meantime, It is not just a suggestion in the bible. It is a command that we love others and give to those in need. 

Because: BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, THERE GO I.

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, SO THAT WHOSOEVER BELIVES ON HIM WILL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. JOHN 3:16

Thanks for coming today, Friends. May God grant you peace throughout this busy season