Trailblazin Ministries Blog

Society

Homelessness

Written by LaRosa Johnson
Monday, 04 June 2007
Filed under: Society

One thing that I have always been aware of wherever I've been is homelessness. Growing up in a Christian home and going to church, I have had the opportunity to help the homeless in small ways, like collecting canned food while in the Cub Scouts, donating clothes to the Goodwill and other things like that. Even with all of that, I was still somewhat sheltered from the homeless situation because we always lived in a good neighborhood and it was never staring us right in the face.

While I was in college, I had an opportunity to see homelessness in a closer manner. I attended UNC-Chapel Hill and I would constantly go to Franklin St. to either mail off a package, grab a bite to eat, or hit the local music store. While doing all of those things, I would always see homeless people on the corner with signs or cups asking for spare change. Being a broke college student, I hardly ever had any money to give them, but when I did have extra, I would freely give it to a person that I feel could use it. Unfortunately, I would never engage them in conversation, but they were always grateful for the little bit that I was able to offer.

I even had a situation during college, where my girlfriend at the time was homeless (because of a falling out with the person she was staying with in NC and no immediate way to get back to her home up north). It was a very taxing time, as she was forced to stay at the local homeless shelter, unable to get a job, and basically taking it upon my shoulders to make sure she had food (thank God for a good meal plan where I could get food to go) and keeping a smile on face. This really put it front of me how easy it is to become homeless and struggle to have somewhere to stay and food to eat. I remember a song by Lojique that had a line that spoke of only being a paycheck or two away from homelessness. Sadly enough, that is a reality for most of us, if we get laid off and don't find a new job quick enough then we have no roof over our head. Luckily, I was able to sustain her until she was able to get back home. After that incident, homelessness was never really brought to the forefront of my life.

Now that, I'm in Austin, TX, I've encountered homelessness all over again. Everyday to and from work, I see many of the same faces standing on the curb with signs saying that they are single parents who are out of work or just people who are down on their luck. This is a situation that really bothers me down to my core, and I wish there was something I could do about it. I often wonder what their stories are and how they ended up where they are, and then I wish I had the funds to help them find work, a place to stay, and get back on their feet. It burns deeply within me because it pains me to see my fellow man standing out there having to beg for help, especially on a day like today where it just started pouring down raining and they have nothing to cover up with to remain dry.

At the very least, I wish I had the extra funds to at least give a couple dollars and a gospel tract. I would give out a gospel tract by itself, but then I remember the passage in James 2:14-17 where he is talking about how faith without works is dead. What good am I doing to share the gospel, but not meeting their physical needs? Even Jesus spoke on this. If I'm going to give out a gospel tract, there at least needs to be some physical need met alongside it. But this begs the question, what is our responsibility to the homeless, as Christians? To what extent are we to meet their needs and help them out, and how much of it is their own? This is something I wrestle with daily, as it's hard for me to even look at the homeless straight in the eye without feeling guilty and shameful knowing that they have nothing, while I'm driving a nice car going to or from work and have a warm home with food to go to.

It's just something on my mind, and I will pray to the Lord to provide a way for me to provide for them, at least in a small way. If you have any ideas, feel free to pass them along. God bless!