Most people we know likely have a home or an apartment to live in. People who are home less, do not.
We have beds to sleep in, with sheets and blankets and pillows. People who are homeless may have sleeping bags and/or a tent to sleep in. Some sleep outside with just their coats. Some sleep in the shelter, often on the lobby floor, as they are often full.
We often have plenty of food in our cupboards, refrigerators and freezers, pantries. Lots of choices. We often can go to the store and buy pretty much whatever food is needed or desired.
People who are homeless have the opportunity for one hot meal a day provided for by the community. (Who of 'us' eats just once a day?) Yes, some people who are homeless have food stamps and can get some food.
We cook our food on a stove or in a microwave or grill or bake. People who are homeless may build a fire or have a camp stove and can cook simple meals. If they do not have this capacity, they eat cold food from cans.
We can bathe or shower as often as we choose. People who are homeless have limited ways to access this. The same for our laundry. Most of us can use our washer and dryer as frequently as we desire. People who are homeless may be able to do laundry once a month, with vouchers provided from various agencies, or through our Love Inc Loads of Love program.
If we want to go somewhere, we hop in the car and go. A homeless person can walk, perhaps ride a bike or figure out the bus system. All good ways, just not always convenient or timely.
We want to call someone and we do. Often too much. (Smile). A homeless person may have a phone, but often runs out of minutes. Many have the "Obama phone' which is often very 'scratchy' and hard to hear. Phones are needed for contacts and job searches.
There are so many things we enjoy...and/or take for granted. When I think of my daily life next to a person on the street's life I am without a doubt SO BLESSED! People on the street are struggling to just make it through that very day. These too, are people whom God dearly loves.
Church...how can we help the homeless in our community? We have real HOPE to offer. What ways can we make for our Neighbors in Need who are struggling?
Psalm 145 is Psalm of Gratitude and Praise..."The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made..." take time to 'soak' in this and let's check our gratitude quotient.
We have beds to sleep in, with sheets and blankets and pillows. People who are homeless may have sleeping bags and/or a tent to sleep in. Some sleep outside with just their coats. Some sleep in the shelter, often on the lobby floor, as they are often full.
We often have plenty of food in our cupboards, refrigerators and freezers, pantries. Lots of choices. We often can go to the store and buy pretty much whatever food is needed or desired.
People who are homeless have the opportunity for one hot meal a day provided for by the community. (Who of 'us' eats just once a day?) Yes, some people who are homeless have food stamps and can get some food.
We cook our food on a stove or in a microwave or grill or bake. People who are homeless may build a fire or have a camp stove and can cook simple meals. If they do not have this capacity, they eat cold food from cans.
We can bathe or shower as often as we choose. People who are homeless have limited ways to access this. The same for our laundry. Most of us can use our washer and dryer as frequently as we desire. People who are homeless may be able to do laundry once a month, with vouchers provided from various agencies, or through our Love Inc Loads of Love program.
If we want to go somewhere, we hop in the car and go. A homeless person can walk, perhaps ride a bike or figure out the bus system. All good ways, just not always convenient or timely.
We want to call someone and we do. Often too much. (Smile). A homeless person may have a phone, but often runs out of minutes. Many have the "Obama phone' which is often very 'scratchy' and hard to hear. Phones are needed for contacts and job searches.
There are so many things we enjoy...and/or take for granted. When I think of my daily life next to a person on the street's life I am without a doubt SO BLESSED! People on the street are struggling to just make it through that very day. These too, are people whom God dearly loves.
Church...how can we help the homeless in our community? We have real HOPE to offer. What ways can we make for our Neighbors in Need who are struggling?
Psalm 145 is Psalm of Gratitude and Praise..."The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made..." take time to 'soak' in this and let's check our gratitude quotient.