The homeless lady who wasn't

Do you think you would know a homeless person who wasn’t, if you saw one? Probably not. Not the classy kind of homeless person. Yeah, that would be the middle aged woman (who considers herself to be a lady). She drives over to the beach where there is a State Park and changes into her bathing suit and washes her temple in ivory soap and shampoos her auburn hair, early enough in the morning in hopes that she will avoid all the early birds who arrive at dawn for their morning walk, early fishing excursion, or those who sit in their car and gaze on women taking showers. She changes in the restroom into an outfit that would most likely disguise her from the appearance of homelessness. She appears in a dress, with hair combed, perfumed body, and head held high and with her manner of dress, would go a countenance of joyfulness, that everything in her life is just fine. She exudes the love of Jesus, despite her situation. And as she walks to her car, she tries to not draw any attention to herself. It terrifies her, the thought that someone might know, because the last thing that this homeless person wants you to take from her, is her dignity, because after all, it is about all she has left of herself. She drives away, and feels a sense of accomplishment, because for one more day, no one noticed, the homeless lady who wasn’t.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress

Stealing

I have a thought. To not offer someone something that they need, to me, if a form of stealing from them. The reason is because, the Bible says, “He who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (James 4:17). If you know someone who needs a job and you have a job for them for pay, to offer them the job would help them, to not, means that you have withheld from them something that could have helped them. In the same way, if you know someone has no bread and you have a piece of bread to offer, why would you keep it? To me, you steal when you know that someone is hungry and you did not even offer a piece of bread to them. This is serious. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Bread symbolizes fellowship with him. You have not only stolen food, but fellowship with the Lord. For the Christian body to withhold bread would seem to be an even greater offence because we all make up the body. To me, no matter how little you have you can always offer a piece of bread to someone. There is no excuse and the penalty may cost you your life with Jesus, forever. "Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15).
Heartstrings Two, Copyright 2008 © by Library of Congress

All he had to live on

I saw a man the other day in real time, broad daylight, twelve noon, here in the Southern city of Jupiter, Florida. I could not believe what I saw and as strange as it was, I had seen it in the Northern city of Biddeford, Maine this spring. It is not just a Southern problem. This guy was stopped on his bike, having crossed the bridge; he was positioned next to a church and was attempting to balance, from what I could see: two plastic bags of groceries, a backpack and the most surprising, a twin mattress. Yes, you heard me right. He was carrying his bed. Anyone could be in this situation, and what *Mark Twain’s character Huck Finn said is quite true, "People can be awful cruel to one another.” They just drive right on by and really do not seem to care. When I talk to people about homelessness they say things like: “Yeah, but some do not want any help,” “They brought it on themselves,” “There is plenty of work out there, they are just lazy,” “They are drunks,” “They just want a hand out…”And I wonder if it has ever occurred to these people who make these statements, that homeless people might just need a little encouragement such as: a kind word, a place to sleep for the night, other than that spot in the woods or the city park bench. Have you ever slept in your car? I think of those who do not have a car and sleep in a cardboard box. And then I think of all the money in these United States of America, the “United We Stand, Divided We Fall,” United States. And I wonder why. *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress

Greed

Greed is the excessive desire to acquire or possess more (especially more material wealth) than one needs or deserves. When I think of greed, I think of the city in which I live which used to be a town. It has grown and with it has grown greed. I need look no farther than all the new homes being built, the ones that are already built, some inhabited, some not. On most any day I will see people working the grounds and many of them do not speak English. There will be a foreman nearby and they usually come in on the boss man's truck where they are privileged to sit in the back, out in the heat, while he sits in the cab. The worker will smile at you, but it looks forced. I always wonder when I see these people, (who have feelings by the way) if they ever wonder why they have to sit in the back of the truck. I have noticed most of these trucks are landscaping vehicles. I feel sorry for these people. The Bible says in James 5: 4 (NIV) "The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you." One might say someone has to mow the grass. This may be true, but just for a moment think about how you would feel if you had to be out in the heat all day working on some rich guy's property and then go home to your "little shack in the woods." I also understand how the rich might feel that they earned this kind of living, but at the same time I cannot help but think of the guy sleeping under the bridge at night and I wonder why. How does this love your neighbor as yourself?
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress

Holy Jeans

I think I might have seen someone needing a new pair of jeans recently. Guys name is Tom. He has had these same "holey" jeans on ever since I have known him. He's the guy on the other side of the Blue Heron Bridge, the one that I like to feed when I can. And I have been trying to teach others too. I think it might be working, because one day I drove up, and I said "Tom would you like some dinner?" And he said he had plenty of food today." But, sometimes, he is sleeping while sitting up when I pull over, and he doesn't hear me. I might have to toot the horn, and he is not drunk, he is hungry, and tired. After I began bringing him food, I noticed he always had on the same clothes. And I thought what that might feel like, to not have a warm shower, and clean clothes. It appeared as though the entire section around the knee area of his "holey"jeans was cut out leaving a gaping hole, for much "cold" air to get in. And he cannot afford to be any "colder" than he already is. So, one day, I drove on up with something for him to eat, and I said, "Hi Tom, by the way, what size jeans do you wear?" Well, you would have thought it was Thanksgiving. Right away, he jumped up from the bench, and he tugged at his waist, and responded, "I think I am a 34."And he gotthat happy look on his face, to think I might be back the same day. You see, I had not planned too, I had "other things to do," but I could not forget the look on his face. And I told him in a hopeful voice, that I would try to come back the same day. You see, I could tell that he was wishing that he might be getting a newer pair of jeans. So, later on that day, it had been pressing on my mind, so I headed on up to Goodwill on Broadway, and I told the lady that had sold me a white blanket for Tom (that was soft as a baby's blanket), that I did not have a lot of money, and I would like to buy a pair of jeans for a homeless man. Well, I got to looking, and sure enough, I found a nice pair of Wrangler jeans, but they were one size bigger in the waist. And they were $3.00, on sale that day, and they were similar in style, and color to the ones he was wearing, except these had no "holes." Then, I remembered that I had $10 in my wallet, and it had come in a card to me, and I had to stretch it. But, I took that $10 bill out, and I laid those jeans down at the cash register, and I bought them, and I felt good in my heart. And when I went to bring them to Tom, it was after sunset. I wondered if he would be there, because I had never asked him, till today, where he slept. I did not think that I could not stand to know. So, I pulled up in the car, and he seemed to be kind of down. I handed him the jeans, and said God Bless, and he sat back down. I thought he might cry; he had that look like he had not only gotten a pair of jeans, but some dignity. The next day I drove by, I noticed though that he was not wearing them yet, and I got to pondering why. But, before I knew it, a few days went by, and as I pulled up, he was wearing them. And he had a dark flannel shirt on too. He looked really sharp. I pondered as to whether the message was catching on. I said, "Hi Tom, how are the jeans working out for you?" And he said, "Yeah, they are great, and he told me thank you, and then I said, "Would you like some donuts?" And I handed him a box of donuts, for him, and his friends, and do you know he had one glazed donut dipped in chocolate finished before I pulled out. And I smiled, and I felt good in my heart. And the other day, I found out that he did not have a Bible, but now he does, to read with his muffins.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress

Help the Homeless

It is reported in the news by the Homeless Coalition that there are 5,000 homeless people in Palm Beach County. What about the ones that are not reported? It seems that Westgate Tabernacle Shelter is trying to make a difference in the lives of the homeless. However, there is a cost, a big one. $10,000 for code violations (money that could help the shelter) because the pastor has put up a tent for the men to sleep, in order that the men, and women be separate (biblical). The county takes money from the shelter in fines. Now, if emergency services are needed, then to send out firemen would cost the county, who pay the firemen to do their job. Something is wrong with this picture. The county fines Westgate (a shelter for the homeless) and Westgate pays the county (fines for code violations). Then, someone at Westgate falls ill, and firemen (paid by the county) have to come out to the shelter to do their job (which costs the county). Perhaps, the money is just going in one big circle. Just a thought. This so happened while I was visiting one day, and I went home, and thought about it. The pastor of Westgate is trying to make a difference in the lives of the homeless, but he keeps getting "slam dunked," and it does not seem right. I have made three trips to the shelter, and I see what a good job he is doing. Everyone is fed, clothed, and has a place to sleep. Keep in mind that not all of Westgate's inhabitants are adults. About a week ago, I went by with some donations for everyone, and to visit. My mother always taught us to "do for others." I asked about Nicholi, and found out that he was still there. I had not thought that little boys could be homeless, and for this long. Perhaps, I could not bear to think it. I have come to know Nicholi, now age four. I first met him in June 2008, he was three then. He had a birthday on August 25. So now he is four. His dad brought me to him, and he still had those sparkling baby blue eyes. He said "what are you doing here?" in the sweetest little boy voice. And then he grabbed my leg to hug me. I told him that I had come to see him. "How is your angel bear doing?" I said. He wanted to show me his toys that were in a box on the floor. He kept pointing to them. He asked me if I had a book. I did not have a book that day, but I had a little stuffed bear. Well, he just loved that, and he hugged him tight. He said, "It's Winnie the Pooh," in his sweet little boy voice. And we had a little visit, and I visited with some of the other tenants, and then I went home. I could not get that little boy off my mind. Living in a homeless shelter for one year with his father, and mother. And I asked myself why? And it bothered me. So, I decided in the shower the next morning that I was going back there on Thanksgiving Day, and I was going to read to Nicholi. I do not have much money, but I bought him a coloring book, crayons, and two small pooh books. And I read to him, and when I got into character, giving voices to pooh, and all his friends, Nicholi laughed himself silly. He just loved it. And then I wrote him a personal message on the inside cover of his coloring book, and drew Ernie&Bert from Sesame Street (an artist I am not) and I made a little boy happy for one day. You know how I knew, because he wanted to go with me when I left. I told him that I would come to visit again. The decision that I made to give up a Thanksgiving meal was worth that little boys smile. It is my prayer to the good Lord that little boys like Nicholi do not have to live like this. That in the United States of America little boys, and little girls of all ages would not have to be homeless.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress

Homelessness, and a boy named Nicholi

If we see someone walking in the darkness, we can always add some light on their situation. It may be a kind word, a smile, a slice of bread, an article of clothing, a pillow. There is always someone that has it harder, believe me I know. Oppression is real. There are many homeless people in this nation. I met a little boy recently named Nicholi, and he lives with his parents in a *Homeless Shelter. He is three years old. But he knew how to smile and he knew how to say "God Bless You." And he now owns an angel bear. My position on oppression is that "there is plenty of money out there, it is just in the wrong places." *Westgate Tabernacle Church, WPB, FL.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress

Hunger Pains

What does real hunger look like? I think I saw it recently, while taking a walk on the Blue Heron Bridge. Yeah, that would be about where the fish come in on loaded boats, but don't seem to reach these people. Guys name is Tom. One day, I stopped and gave him some cheese crackers. It seemed right to feed someone that I knew was hungry. And then, I decided to try and teach someone else how to do it. So, you ask , where would you go? Tom is there most days. He is slouched over, still managing to sit upright on the city park bench. He looks like he is hanging on for dear life, that look of hopelessness in his baby blue eyes, and like he has been in the sun way too long, his hair appears dry and windblown. He wears a blue windbreaker and worn jeans. Then, you might say, what to bring? So, you check your cupboards and frig and look for something leftover, you know an entrée that you have had for two nights in a row, or that soup you made, and well, after a couple of times, you know that you do not want to eat it one more time. Or perhaps, it is a piece of chocolate cake, you know, you are saving that last bite, because it tastes so good, and you cooked it from scratch, and worked tirelessly in the kitchen. It is the cake your mother always made when you were growing up. She let you lick the bowl and you could not wait till it came out of the oven. You say, who would you feed? Then, you remember Tom. And you think to yourself that he would be happy to receive that slice of cake, though, hard it is to give it up. You muster up all your courage, and ask God to send you an angel, as you approach the bottom of the hill, on the Singer Island side, there he is. And he is not drunk; he is hungry. But, today, you make sure he eats. You see, a single mother cannot change the world, and knows that she cannot feed everyone, but she can feed one person at a time. And she believes in her heart that no one should go hungry. So, then you might ask, what do you say? You say, "what's your name?' He says, "Tom." You say, "I brought you some cake." He looks surprised and says thank you. He tells you that he is real hungry, then he reaches out his hand to receive your gift, and then he smiles and you will think it is his birthday. And you will never have to worry that you have given to the wrong person because the general consensus of Tom, Willy, Lewis and all the others who have occupied the bench, or walked the bridge day in and day out, is that they are all hungry. And be prepared when they ask you "Does everyone do this?" Because they will want to know why you stopped to feed them, but the rest went right on by.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress

Feed the hungry

The news has reported that the food pantry's are struggling to feed the hungry a Thanksgiving meal. It is a darn shame that the rich people who wish to give some food to the poor people, just cannot seem to get it there. Whether it be, the servants did not show up, the limo driver called in sick, the cook prepared only enough for the household, or what have you. It is just a darn shame that they cannot get that food to the pantries, to feed the hungry. You know that when they go shopping, they always have enough. And then, they invite their friends over, who also have enough. And those rich people; they have good hearts, cause you know that they want to help, but they just cannot get that food to the hungry. And I bet the poor people would come to get it, if they could get there. It might even bother the rich people during their Thanksgiving meal, to think that others would like to be eating like they are, but cannot, because the food never got to them.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress

Oppression, a true story

One spring day, a single mother heard on the news that a couple at Westgate Tabernacle Church (a homeless shelter in West Palm Beach, Florida) were the parents of a newborn baby, and it is always a gift* when one receives a child. Well, they smiled so pretty for the camera, and then tomorrow came. And because they lived at a homeless shelter; the people in power thought that they could not be good parents, even though they loved their child. So, they took the child away from them, while the parents, and the preacher (who owns the shelter) went to court to fight for their rights to have their child. It seemed that this single mother who saw the story, knew about pain, and suffering, and being that she loves her own child so very much, and could feel the mother's pain; she broke down, and wept bitterly. Right then, and there, she decided to do what she could for that mother. So, she gathered together some items from her home, so not to exclude anyone, and for the mother of the child, she brought her favorite black dress, and her Bible, cause she knew that the Bible was powerful, and would give her life. And then she prayed, and was on her way. And she felt good in her heart. Having never been there, and knowing that the shelter was not in a good neighborhood; she decided to risk it, and she knew that God would take care of her. And she almost drove right on by, because she could not believe how small the church was, as it appeared much larger on the news. And then she remembered what her professor had taught her (while discussing hurricane Katrina) about the camera only showing what it wants you to see. She got out of her car, and walked up to the front door, and knocked. No one answered. And so she opened it slowly, not knowing what to expect. There was a Women's Bible study going on, and the counselor was sitting on the altar steps, and the ladies were seated in chairs in front of her. In succession, they all turned to look when she said, "I came to bring some donations for you." And you would have thought it was Christmas in June, by the looks on their faces. The mother of the newborn baby was not there because she was in court fighting for her child. And do you know, that Bible fulfilled its promise, and today, this mother, and father are able to see their baby, because the pastor decided to raise it, giving them the right to visit, and be the parents they wish to be. And God is so good. And we should always do what we can to help others.
Heartstrings Two, Copyright © 2008 by Library of Congress