Homeless people......I know we have them in my little town. I just rarely see them "out". Josh & Leah & I used to work at the local soup kitchen with the sisters from church. We knew some of those people were homeless, we just didn't know which ones. Years ago, there was one particular woman who would aimlessly wander the streets. You would see her all the time. Stories circulated about her and her situation. I never see her anymore. One has to wonder what happened to her?Anyway, Kirsten, Aaron & I were out on an errand the other day. A gentleman stood along side the road holding a sign that said, "Homeless. Need work." What? What did I just see? Not in MY little town? I am so naive. We all get that. I just couldn't take it. It's not like I had never seen a homeless person before. I just rarely saw them out with signs begging for help HERE in Hanover.
We proceeded to run our errand & then went back to look for the man. We could no longer find him & started home. I thought, "I just have to look for him one more time." I tried explaining all of this to the kids as we drove around looking for this man. They searched eagerly wanting to help.We went back to where he was originally & found him again. Our next stop was Arby's to buy him lunch. It was so cold out that day. Bitterly cold. I wondered how much he had eaten lately.
After we picked up the food they announced they wanted to give it to "the man". The three of us walked up and said we thought he might like some lunch. Aaron handed him the drink, & Kirsten gave him the bag of food, both of them including a smile in their delivery. The humble man tried to thank us in some inaudible voice. I felt so bad for him. I cried the entire way home.
How much does it take to stand alone announcing to the world that you are a grown adult incapable of caring for yourself?
How low must you feel to virtually be a beggar with a sign?
How does it feel knowing everyone is judging your plea for help?
How does it feel as people beep or yell unnecessary rude comments out their car windows as they drive by?
All I can say is, don't judge. Unless you have stood in his shoes, and I mean VIRTUALLY, stood in his shoes, how can we even propose to understand how he ended up where he did.
I will admit I am judgmental about certain things. Judgmental to the point of prejudice. No, not about race. For today, we'll just say it's about waste. Again, that's a story for another day. Everybody has their "issues".
My point is, there were many people watching us that busy day after Christmas. There was a lot of traffic and people sitting at the light where we were there. After our one small deed, others proceeded to stop and give him something (money I suppose). Our one small act maybe inspired others to do something. I know what some of you are thinking, "He's going to spend that money on alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, etc." You know what the lesson is here, because there is more than one? This is not only about the receiver, it's about the giver. What are we willing to give? Many of us are more than willing to pay our tithing. We are told where it's going and are happy with that. But give to "the man" on the street? Hmm? He might make bad choices? Well, guess what, he might not. He might just eat. He might just buy a blanket. He might buy more gloves. He might buy clean clothes. He might buy a coat. The little bit that you "might" give him will not alter your lifestyle, but it "might" make a world of difference to him. Your one kindness may be what gets him or her through the day.
The lesson I taught my children that day is one they will remember forever. Kirsten still talks about the homeless men in Harrisburg that we gave donuts to one morning. We were there for a dance convention and had seen the same men for days huddled in a doorway. She & I were excited for some Dunkin Donuts. Before we entered the store I decided I would buy them some donuts as well. Entering the store though, there was a sign on the door that said, "No debit cards today." What??? That was all I had except for $2. I knew I did not have enough money to buy donuts for the two men and for Kirsten. She had only lived with us for a few months at that point, & I did not know if she would grasp the concept of homeless people and giving up her share. I was bummed and decided to just forget about the whole thing. I purchased two donuts with the $2 for Kirsten & I. Heavenly Father must have appreciated my heartfelt intentions. When I went to hand the employee the $2, he said, "These are on the house today." WHAT??????????
I said, "Well, can I pay for two more donuts to give to the men outside?" I bought two more & Kirsten & I delivered them into their cold hands. She smiled all over. It was a special memory that we made together.
I believe it is our job to teach our children about those who are less fortunate. Each one of these homeless people has "a story". More importantly, we all started out in the same place, with our Heavenly Father. He would want us to care. He would want us to give. He would want us to not judge. He would want us to do SOMETHING.
I have a challenge for my fellow bloggers. Here are the list of do's and dont's. :)
- Make a decision to do SOMETHING for someone HOMELESS.
- It needs to be something you haven't done in the past.
- Go to your local food kitchen to find someone. They will direct you.
- Be specific.
- Pick even ONE person and find out what they need.
- Pray for inspiration.
- Don't just pick a needy family from church. You know someone is taking care of them. Pick someone who has NO CHURCH.
- Understand the "message" you are sending.
- Don't let fear stand in your way! Have your husband and family help you.
- Don't PREJUDGE.
Do as President Henry B. Eyering stated in this month's Ensign message. I quote, "Love always comes first. A single act of kindness will seldom be enough. The Lord described the love we must feel, and that those we invite must recognize in us, with words like these: “Charity suffereth long,” and it “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4, 7)."
Report back on what you did!! Be an inspiration to others!!!! Let this be the "something" that we decide to do together in 2009. I can't WAIT to hear from YOU!!!!!!
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4 comments:
Sean always give his spare change to a guy on the street. Sean says that it isn't up to him to judge how the man spends his money, Sean is only judged on his good works and thats all he needs to worry about.
You are awesome! Saving the world one donut at a time! I love it Lori and I love you!
I get the whole idea about giving money, it's up to them what they do with it, so what if you just helped buy them alcohol, cigarettes, etc. BUT... I still love that you gave a meal instead of money.
What a wonderful way to teach your children not only about giving but about acceptance. Even as followers of Christ I find that some constantantly judge others for their decisions or their situations. You are truly Christ-like Lori!
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