Hands

Today I was with the most oppressed and marginalized people on the face of the earth.

Sunken eyes, weathered skin, feet so calloused from many days without socks and even days without shoes.

Nights without sleep because the shelter was full. Days of guarding their belongings and having to hustle to find food to eat.

Wanderers of the earth with only one thing on their mind survival.

People think oh if they could just stop using everything would be ok.

People say if they would have only chosen better at the beginning they would not be in such a horrible place.

Today I went round and round with a person trying to help him find one glimmer of hope to try once more.

Today I talked with a man who was lit on fire as he slept on a bus bench and now he is missing a limb.

Today I worked with a person who is at the bottom trying to break free of her addiction while also fighting the demons in her head.

These are the stories of the chronically homeless.

One person said I wonder if I should continue to try or if I should give up and just go to jail.

How does one help someone help someone in such dire and hopeless circumstances.

The first act is simple. It is an act of love and acceptance. A smile, a hello, and asking them if they need anything.

The second act again is another act of love. Can I help you wash our clothes?

Have you ever gone camping or to a place where you could not shower for days?

One of the things people desire the most is the comforts of your home: a shower, a warm meal, and a bed.

When people walk through the doors they are also looking for those things first. A warm shower, clean clothes, and a soft place to lay their head.

Then you move on after meeting their basic needs to try to help them see there is still a chance and a possibility to try again.

Remember just stay on the path and try try try again.

If everytime you tried you got kicked why would you try again.

If everytime you stood back up and someone said Come on you can do these and gave you a little push start, one day you just might keep walking.

Love, kindness, and encouragement is what we can all do to help those in need.

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 

12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. (New Testament, 1 John, 1 John 4)