I have been thinking quite a lot about homelessness (over the last two years especially) and have come to all kinds of conclusions about myself and the things that I (and the church) need to do in order to help people who are in that situation. I have been involved in a few organizations who work with homeless people and met with many people to discuss what I/we should be doing to help.
I finally discovered something very important that I can do right now. I am reading t
his book called Bent Hope which is a really interesting read. The author is a Youth Worker who works with young people who live on the streets in Toronto. He walks the streets and hangs out with them and helps when he can. He basically just tells the stories of his encounters with people and talks a little bit about what he has learned from them. I am loving it!
So, I know what I am supposed to do to help homelessness. In his book, pretty much everyone he encounters he mentions how they come from a family situation that is very messy...abusive, broken, hurting, manipulative, etc. My conclusion is this. One thing that I can do to fight homelessness is to be a good Father and husband. If my kids grow up in a home that they experience real love, then they will not have to experience homelessness.
My fight against homelessness has taken a bit of a different angle, but I believe it is incredibly important. I realize that this does not solve the whole issue of homelessness, but I know that it could for three little kids that I care a lot about!
I finally discovered something very important that I can do right now. I am reading t
his book called Bent Hope which is a really interesting read. The author is a Youth Worker who works with young people who live on the streets in Toronto. He walks the streets and hangs out with them and helps when he can. He basically just tells the stories of his encounters with people and talks a little bit about what he has learned from them. I am loving it!So, I know what I am supposed to do to help homelessness. In his book, pretty much everyone he encounters he mentions how they come from a family situation that is very messy...abusive, broken, hurting, manipulative, etc. My conclusion is this. One thing that I can do to fight homelessness is to be a good Father and husband. If my kids grow up in a home that they experience real love, then they will not have to experience homelessness.
My fight against homelessness has taken a bit of a different angle, but I believe it is incredibly important. I realize that this does not solve the whole issue of homelessness, but I know that it could for three little kids that I care a lot about!
Comments
Sometimes we have to balance our obligations and our kids have to come first!
I love the stuff you write about homelessness and some of the ways you have chosen to learn more about it. I am sure you are making a difference in peoples' lives. And you don't have to touch EVERYONE to make it worthwhile.
Peace,
Jamie
Mom, stop crying...you are embarrassing me (just kidding)
Tim, I never thought the author of the book would have stopped by my blog. I appreciate your words of encouragement. I realize that "loving those in your midst deeply is the longterm answer." However, it is interesting that sometimes this is the most difficult thing to do well. I tend to take them for granted too often. I really liked the way Steve Bell wrote the benediction to the book. I appreciated it because the whole idea of actually seeing people, that is what I sensed throughout the book, and something that I have been striving to do myself. With everyone I encounter, those on the margins, my close friends, the youth I work with, etc. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Tiffany, thanks for your comments. I agree example is the best way to parent. Thanks for the encouragement.
Jamie, I have been convicted of what you say about being a father to the fatherless. I think what I hoped to say in this post is that I hope to never do any of this sort of thing at the "expense" of my own fatherhood...keeping in mind the fact that I hope to be an example of compassion to my children.
Jamie, I totally agree with you
Peace,
Jamie