TheCrazySquirrel

I didn’t take any of these pictures. They are from Flickr. I don’t remember who took them, except that two came from here. Hopefully they don’t mind. Pictures like these always make me think more about what I am doing. This turned into a longer, and somewhat venting post. So if you want to read it, click the read more link.

When I was a kid I went up to New York city to visit my mom. I can remember one time walking down the street with her. I think I was in between 5th and 6th grade; I was 10. We were walking down the street and out of the corner of my eye I noticed a large heap of black trash bags at the corner of a building, in an inset part of the column. A second or two later I turned my head and looked at the trash bags again. The trash bags came to life and started moving towards me. As I took a closer look I realized that it wasn’t a heap of bags, that it was a person dressed in trash bags pushing a cart full of trash bags. It scared the living daylights out of me. I think I screamed and grabbed my mom.

I wonder many times if that exact emotion and experience is how a lot of us feel towards homeless people. And then I wonder why. The key word in homeless people is PEOPLE. They are people, just like you and me. But for some reason we are scared of them. I still fell this same sense sometimes. Not so much as being scared that a pile of trash bags came to life and are coming to get me. No, a sense of uneasiness, feeling uncomfortable, and not being able to relate. At the same time when I see pictures like these, I feel a such a strong hurt and need to help these people that my spirit moans for them.

I work in a church, and it really pains me that, in many cases, the Church does not do nearly enough to help people like this. Why do people need a valid ID to get help. Where does Jesus say, “Help the poor and needy, but make sure they have a valid ID and track all the donations they are being given, because we sure wouldn’t want to give them to much or let them take advantage of us.” This week someone called and talked with me about needed some help. They needed more help than money, but they did need some rent help due to some temporary job issues. The organizations that would help her (done by zip code) wouldn’t do it because she had an expired ID. Finally I pulled a string or two and got her some help with the organization that we give money to and send everyone to. But they would only help with about 20% of her rent. And before they would help her she had to have the other 80%. She had 3 or 4 days till rent was due. If you can’t get any to start with no one will help you. She might be homeless on Christmas. Things like this make me scream in my head “WHY!!!”

I understand the basic reasoning behind all of these…hoops to jump through. But I also believe it is highly unbiblical. Jesus calls us to help the least of these and gives no qualifications or requirements to do so. I’ve often thought about doing a little test. I like experiments and other psychology type things. So to better understand things I’ve often thought about begging. Making myself look a little worse for wear, getting a sign, and going somewhere. Mostly just to see the reaction of people as they pass by me. At the same time I’m afraid I’d make more money than I make now doing that!!

Now don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of good things that people, churches, and various organizations do. I am not without gratitude nor am I wanting to bash the church. The church, and more importantly the people in the church, do many many things to help many many people. Especially my church, they are wonderful here and I have been very appreciative and amazed at all they do. I also understand there are certain people out there who want nothing more than to live on the street and beg, want to do drugs, want to live the lifestyle they do. That doesn’t mean they deserve any less love from you or me.

Personally, I have a policy of not giving money to most people. I say most because sometimes I feel led to give money to people. But, instead, I will buy them whatever they want myself. It solves two things. One…I am not enabling any drugs, alcohol, etc… to pass through their body; and two, they actually get something they need that can help them instead of possibly not making the wisest decision with the money after they get it. Also, it is personal and makes me be involved with them.

Well, now that I’ve said all that, I fell much better. Have a nice day!