xjwsforChrist

http://youtu.be/UM2vXN3db1M

I often wondered what some of these unfortunate people were feeling or thinking. I hope you can open this YouTube link it's worth the watch

Hello HTBO,

Thank you for sharing this.

Sad thing is many think its easy to stand out and hold a cup or sign asking for money for food or shelter.
This man shared how humiliating it feels to have to be able to do this on a daily basis after trying to find work which many think such ones never even try.

I am reminded of what we have just learned as to the lesson our Lord showed to Peter when he asked him if he loved him he would feed his sheep.

Helping those in need physically, doing what we can, because we never know who Christs sheep may be. But extending that mercy to ALL even our enemies is what CHRIST did and showed us how to be.

A great video and lesson once again not to judge anyone in any situation like this, because we never know how or why they are in it. It shouldn't matter, all we need to do is take care of the immediate need.

Love to you and your family,
Justmom

I think most of these people (not all; some are homeless due to issues like mental illness, substance abuse, spousal abuse, criminal backgrounds, etc.) think what anyone would think in such a situation, dear HBTO (mornin' and peace, luv!): what now... where now... HOW... NOW? Perhaps even WHO (can/will help me) now. Of course, there can also be a feeling of shame, but that most often comes from knowing what others "think" about you (although they really have NO idea WHY you're homeless, but they do have their thoughts about it, don't they?).

There are many folks in this county (US) who thought it could "NEVER" happen to them, only to have it happen with our recent housing/credit crisis. Whole LOT of folks had their paradigms tossed out, which I observed first hand while working as a Fair Housing, Housing, and Homelessness counselor (2009-2010). Then, we helped both owners who were losing their homes to foreclosure and renters who were being evicted by the bank (because an owner had been foreclosed upon). It was a privilege to help some save their homes by helping them get their loans modified under the HAMP program.

Even so, it shouldn't be hard to know what someone in such situation... or any unfortunate situation... is feeling: probably what WE would feel in the same situation. Scared, lonely, misunderstood, and even ashamed.

Thanks for sharing the video and peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar, who's been there...

Morning, One and All:

In response to HTBO's above post, if one really wants to know what these people are feeling and thinking, it might be a good idea to volunteer to help from time to time at a homeless shelter or actually to stop and have a conversation with a homeless person you see on the street. No harm in that.

Sometimes I think what we see like on this short video is just the results of the "trickle down" effect from others' inhumanity to man.

Nevertheless, volunteering at a homeless shelter, or food line, or safe place for battered women and children, might be of benefit to us who wonder about the plight of such individuals who suffer at the hands of others.

--Armand

I haven't been able to watch the video but my compassion with the homeless is very much intact. I have experienced homelessness with children. To say it was devastating doesn't cover it. I was the most humiliated and ashamed I had ever been in my life. The homelessness was due only to UK economics together with circumstance, but if you're the person involved you lose all your dignity and sense of self, pride and identity. Awful.

I promised myself that whenever I am able to work on a voluntary basis that's the cause I will support. This thread has reminded me, thank you.

Loz x

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"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

I have, as well, dear Loz (peace to you, dear one... and while I don't want to say I'm glad you had the experience, I am, to a point. Because I am sure it helped you to understand even MORE that not every homeless person is lazy, dirty, crazy, etc. ('cause I'm sure YOU knew that even before, as others of us may have (my father, who was born during the Depression) always told us not to look down on folks out on the street, so I kinda learned that from him). My own experience helped ME understand even more... and I am STILL grateful to JAH for helping me do so!

My situation wasn't one where I was "homeless" but living with family/friends: my children and I actually had to stay in a homeless shelter for awhile when they were very young. Among other things (issues with "fiance"), I'd lost my job (I worked for a government contractor testing cruise missile launch simulations. The Cold War was ending, however, and numerous government contracts were being cancelled. Many contractors went under/into oblivion; others began to drastically but back, including the one I worked for. I worked nights because of the kids, but night jobs were hard to find and so I was out of work for about 4 months. Couldn't pay the rent... couldn't pay a sitter... then lost my car (so couldn't look for work, so couldn't pull unemployment) so... we ended up in a women and children's shelter (which was actually a pretty nice/clean place, although not "home"). Praise JAH, they let us stay much longer than most (the usual term was 3 weeks, but they gave me 6 weeks because I really began to run out of money and I needed to save all I could to get a place. For the last two weeks, my babies and I had to eat at least one meal a day at the "soup" kitchen a few blocks away so I could save money, and here's the one thing I will NEVER forget about that:

The men in the line, EVERY one of them, EVERY day... would NOT take food... until all of the women and children had gotten their food first! They would NOT. Even if the food ran out (which it did a few times! They would never even stand in front of a woman/child in the line! And none had to chide another to do this - it was apparently unspoken but they ALL would do this. AND they would all offer/give the children, including mine, their milk and dessert (usually a cookie/piece of pie/cake) "for later."

NONE of them were ever disrespectful in ANY way; in fact, they were some THE most respectful (although sometimes dirty/smelly) men I've met in my life. Even the mentally ill ones. Some shared their stories with us, some didn't, but all were extremely respectful. No bad taste jokes, no lewdness, always gentle, always kind, always very respectful... at least to me and my kids.

As dear Armand (peace to you, luv!) shared, we can all do things to help us understand this aspect of our fellowman by volunteering, etc. But we might not even have to do that. I encounter homeless people on almost a daily basis. I realize some don't live in areas where this is (often) the case, but I can't imagine that we NEVER run into such people. And it's not just homeless, sometimes. We all drive past folks standing in all manner of places holding up signs. What do we DO, though, when we DO (run into someone)?

I am not sure we need to worry about what such folks are thinking/feeling, as much as we should ask ourselves what would WE think/how would WE feel if that were us... or someone we loved (our children/grandchildren, perhaps). It's nice to be able to think, "Well, that would never BE me/my loved one(s)"... but again, many have said that... and found themselves having to take back those words.

Reminds me of the saying, "There, but for the grace of God... go I." Meaning, that COULD be me. For me and you, dear one, it has been.

Peace to you, my dear sister!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

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I have to say that the video did open my eyes a bit, because you never know the backstory to the ones out there, that guy appears to be decent human being.


I have to say though, there are homeless everywhere and particularly if you live in a big city and ride transportation at the same time everyday you see the same folks for years and I do mean years, so, you can't give to everybody, but you just decipher in your own mind, who's real and who's running a scam.


Just an example, one of the regular beggars I've seen for years, I'll never forget when I was walking down the main street in my neighborhood and I see this guy, pull out a wad of cash and I do mean a REALLY THICK STACK of bills from his pocket !

If he lives in the US, there's lots of help, dear Sher'f (peace to you, luv!). Thing is, people who are familiar with being homeless don't often know about it. The "vets" of homelessness do... and take full advantage of every program, etc. Folks who are experiencing homelessness for the first time (or the first time in years) may not be aware because our society doesn't do much to advertise it. Which is understandable: the fear is that if you make it all known, those who are only out to take advantage will do so.

So it's really a matter of asking. That takes times, of course, and a LOT of effort. Maybe a lot of phone calls or perhaps some traveling around (to, say, find a shelter with a bed, a food closet/soup kitchen that can help, a job counseling/placement program, housing, etc.). Many folks don't want to "work that hard" and so, sadly, end up with little or no help.

But like gainful employment, getting back on one's feet can be a part-time, if not full-time job! One just has to make (some of) the effort. Of course, if there are extenuating circumstances, like mental illness, substance abuse, criminal history, etc., then it's going to be even more difficult, maybe even impossible (for those who refuse to take their meds, get clean, or stop committing crimes).

Winking at dear Miz Shirl (peace, luv!): oh, yeah, there are those out there, too! But, as you say, one must discern because not all are so fortunate (to have a wad of cash to pull out!). Just an FYI, there are MANY folks who receive pensions, SSA, SSI, etc., but have checked out of the "system" or can't/don't want to cope with it and so live on the streets. They receive monthly payments through direct deposit or pick up their checks at the general post counter at the post office. Usually, though, those folks don't ask for money - they really don't want anything 'cept to pretty much be left alone! LOLOL!

Peace!

YSFS of Christ,

Shellamar, who knows a lot about this NOT just because of having experienced it but because of having worked in low-income housing for close to 25 years, where I have advocated for, assisted, and housed some of these folks, too!

There is never a time I don't look at the homeless and not think that could be me, being a Realtor I too have seen countless people lose their homes. It CAN happen to anyone, here in our little town we are seeing more and more younger people that are homeless, families. I hear people complaining the homeless are sleeping in the very park that their "little Johnny" plays at, but they don't say " what can we do to help". Volunteering sounds like a terrific idea:)

I can't watch the video, it keeps cutting out. But it doesn't matter. A homeless person IS the same as you or I... he/she just happens to be homeless as well.

I hate the comments 'get a job, you bum'... because a homeless person may LOVE to get a job. But no one hires someone off the street; no phone; no address. Wearing the same clothes day in/day out. Unable to shower regularly; unable to eat regularly (and people forget that someone without food and sleep is not going to be as alert and able as someone WITH three meals a day, warmth, not sick, not sleep deprived, not made to feel ashamed to be alive or in trying to stay alive, not scared from attack, etc, etc).


Also, homeless people are still people with normal emotions. They can laugh, cry, be offended, be hurt, by joyful, be thankful, etc, etc. Once I was bringing in a huge (lots of cash) deposit to the bank (just in the safe thingie), and there were two homeless men in there. While we are not allowed to do this deposit alone, we often did this deposit alone. So I hesitated a moment (but my desire not to offend was a bit stronger than my caution, lol). Anyway, I put the money in the safe, and they started flirting with me. And I mean, charming as all get out... like a couple of old men in a old folks home (not perverted old men)... grinning and laughing, and I could not help but to grin and laugh and flirt a bit back. They didn't ask for anything at all... they were just being normal men flirting with a pretty young girl willing to flirt back at them, lol. It still makes me grin.

Our Morgan on here has been homeless for a long time, and he has also been sick... and yet he still offered comfort on this board, and words from our Lord to upbuild faith, and still does the work our Lord gave him.


In the blink of an eye, anyone of us could find ourselves homeless and on the street. We would still be the same people we are now (hopefully... well, unless homelessness taught us some humility or taught us not to judge, if we did that previously)... but we would be looked at by so many others as though we were human garbage.


This is one of my favorite songs, about homelessness at the start, and then judging after that too (has some swearing in it if that bothers you):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmyqdxBKvH4




Peace to you,
tammy

(also the song doesn't represent any particular view on abortion... or my understanding either... it just makes a statement as to the judging and condemnation happening; just wanted to make that clear)


Peace,
tammy

YES... and others have all but faced it, dear tec (peace to you, luv!). That reminds me, though, that I need to call and check on him (he recently started a new job and got a little place (I think)). I'll let him know we're all thinking of him... and thank YOU for reminding me (of something I shouldn't have needed to BE reminded of!).

Peace!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

Thank you for the stories.

They are amazing to hear.

I do hope our dear Morgan is doing Okay.

Every day we are faced somewhere, sometime by someone we can help in someway. It is just whether we are quiet inside enough to hear our Lord tell us to whom and how.

Funny story I'll share. The first year we came out of the WTBS we were excited as a whole family to be able to help feed the poor on Thanksgiving at the city park in our town we lived. ( a small one)
One of the families we served was an elder in our hall and his wife. They were not poor or homeless but probably didn't want to cook the big meal. But it was thanksgiving day, and they were JWs.
I still remember their faces when we walked up to them to offer a drink and pull their plates. They were pretty surprised to see us. Although we were disfellowshipped, they were the ones celebrating turkey day. Just a good laugh, but we were happy to be able to serve them regardless of the day LOL!

Thank you all for your experiences and sharing. These reminders are good for me as well.

Love to you all,
Justmom