A homeless person is an individual without permanent housing who may live on the streets; stay in a shelter, mission, single room occupancy facilities, abandoned building or vehicle; or in any other unstable or non-permanent situation.
Sometimes I joke about how I am homeless right now because I don’t actually have a residence of my own. I’ve been couch surfing and house hopping for the past 4 months and it can be a little uncomfortable at times. However, I am thankful to have family and friends that love and support me, who have opened their doors up for me and given me a place to stay.
Sadly, there are many people around the world that truly are homeless and don’t have support from anyone in their lives.
That hurts my heart.
I could never imagine what it would be like to live without a roof over my head. In fact, sometimes, it is hard for me to see where God’s heart is on this issue. I don’t always understand.
I mean, why?
Why are people so mean and ugly toward the homeless community? Why is it so easy for us to look the other way, turn a blind eye, or treat them as less than human?
I think about my current living situation and how I am “homeless” by choice, because I have vowed to embark on a life journey that is greater than anything monetary or material I could ever own.
I think about those people in the world that are living under a bridge, in an abandoned building, in underground tunnels, or any place they could find to lay their head at night. How awful! It wrecks my heart.
I think about how they may or may not eat a meal each day. I think about the opportunities that no one will give them to help get them off the streets.
I think about what I can do to make a difference.
I know I cannot help everyone, although I wish I could, but I just ask God to use me in mighty ways – and…He does!
Recently, I had the pleasure and honor of meeting a homeless couple. I encountered them as I was house and pet sitting for a friend. I had seen them several days in a row, living under a bridge. Every day I passed them as I walked the dogs I was caring for, I prayed over them. I would ask God to provide for them and help their circumstance.
Then, suddenly, I felt the gentle nudge to go and speak to them one day.
“Ask them if they’ve eaten today…”
Since then, I can honestly say that these people have touched and changed my life in many ways. I am grateful to have met them and even more so that they have helped me to grow and see things in a different light.
These people are “the least of these…”
They are the “unlovable.”
They have helped me understand the true meaning of joy. They’ve helped me to understand that even when the circumstance is far from perfect, there is still something to be thankful for.
They are sweet, gentle and caring. They believe in Jesus. They smile big, they have a sense of humor and they are grateful.
They are my friends and I am going to miss them when I am gone.
