To make the love of God known, through word and deed

Saturday Morning May 27, 2023

The homeless are often like nomads. Unwelcome, they carry or hide all their worldly possessions and move from one resting place to another. Their bed is a piece of cardboard behind a dumpster or if they’re lucky, a spot under a bridge. They seldom, if ever, hear a cheerful greeting but are often told, “Move on! You can’t squat here!” Homeless women are particularly vulnerable. They often enter into relationships for protection. Many homeless people (especially women) use “pay as you go” cell phones to stay connected to family, to search for support services and for emergencies.

“Annie” and “Carl” were trying to connect with us by text, “Please wait, we’re right around the corner. We’re broke and starving.” We saw Carl first. He was out of breath from running. “Thanks for waiting!” We asked, “Where’s Annie?” “She’s coming…she’s upset!” Just then Annie arrived in tears. “Why do they have to be so mean?” she sobbed. Finally calming down, she told us what happened. Two street toughs had belittled and shamed her. “Go ahead Annie, run and beg for your handout. Be sure to bow and scrape to the nice church people so they can feel good about themselves.”

“Annie,” we told her, “we’re going to fix those guys right now. Come on, gather round.” Huddled together, we prayed. “Dear Lord, soften their hearts and minds that they may be filled with your love and compassion. Oh Lord, may they too come to know the joy that comes from making Your love known to others.”

And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Luke: 9: 58