Friday, January 27, 2012

God Forbid

*Samuel is a homeless man. He sleeps on a park bench in Saint Augustine, Florida (home of the first permanent +Christian settlement). He told me last winter--he made a joke of it in fact--that at 39 degrees you say “brrrr” but at 29 degrees you say “br.” Imagine the guy can still laugh about his “situation?” He is a United States Veteran. I hadn’t seen him out and about for awhile so I thought he had died from exposure to the elements. Sometimes it’s just too hard for me to think about someone dying from being out in the cold when they don’t have to be. You see, because someone could, you know it could press upon their heart of compassion, to do something, you know like give them a hotel room for the night and it would get them out of the cold, because surely they don't want to be out there. And then maybe it would catch on and other people would want to do the same and then maybe, just maybe, we could bring all homeless people inside where they belong. Oh yes, and there are some of you, I know it’s easier to say they don’t want to come out of the cold, they like it there. There may be a few who feel this way, but just maybe it’s all they’ve ever known and grown accustomed to and they should have the choice. What would you do if you didn’t even have the choice? Isn’t it about being treated with respect? And why are homeless people any different? Then you say a lot of them drink alcohol. This may be true then why do you give them money to buy it when what they really need perhaps is food, clothing, shelter or even a warm shower? Complacency is what it’s called, but Jesus died for them too. In fact, the Bible tells us, “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares" (Hebrews 13:1-2). Remember just because you have been blessed doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen to you. Be thankful you’re out of the cold winter elements and have a warm bed to sleep in. God Bless.
Note *Name has been changed to protect the innocent.

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