Homeless, who cares?

Maybe you and I say we care about people who are homeless, especially women and children, but what's the real truth? Do we really care about them as individuals? If so, how do we specifically show that, how is it demonstrated in our lives?

I'm writing this because I am in San Antonio right now and they have a few homeless people, more than a few. And yes, they ask for money, some do. Isn't that annoying? You know, you are walking down the street with your wife or your son or your whole family and then this smelly guy with dirty clothes comes up to you and asks for 50 cents. Who has 50 cents? We all use debit cards right. You just want to tell him off and send him on his way, right?

Okay, maybe that is too brutally honest, but I am saying the truth. Many times we just look the other way. I ain't gonna lie, sometimes I do. Most times I don't and sometimes I get myself into trouble. Sometimes I meet the neatest people, like Chuy, who I met a few weeks ago in Matamoros. He came up asking for something to eat, I tried to blow him off and send him away, being the great Christian I am(sarcasm). But he kept talking and got my attention by sharing a scripture. I had to sit down with him and hear his story and I'm glad I did. We talked over a Big Mac at McD's and he shared what God was doing in his life. He, a beggar, encouraging me, the missionary. What a contrast. What a reality wake up call.

The truth is we do not know how to deal with homeless people or beggars. My dad had a habit when he worked in downtown Atlanta for over 30 years. If a guy asked him for money he would offer to buy him a burger instead or sandwich. Sure, maybe at times he had to get back to work and could not, but many times he did. That's my motto too. I've used it many times, sometimes we sit and talk, sometimes we get it to go. I don't force someone to sit down with me so I can bore them to death or freak them out.

So, what's your motto? Do you have one? Will you create one? Will you ignore the next beggar, homeless person, or child of God that is in need which you see on the street?

Make up a motto. Pray it over, talk about it with your kids. Maybe they have an idea. Maybe their idea might be pretty cool. Never know....