If you are alive on this planet, you will see and hear about the plight of the homeless everyday, everywhere, all the time. The homeless population is growing exponentially around the world, throughout our country, in urban and rural areas everywhere. I must confess, regrettably, that I once knew little or cared little about the homeless. I believed many years ago it was simply a matter of not wanting to work. Then something happened about 15 years ago that changed my perspective.

Throughout my life, I have always been part of a church choir and music ministry.  That was the case in 2011. Being part of a large church choir and orchestra, I signed up to take part of a Christmas ministry service day for the homeless at the Dallas Convention Center.  This was no small event.  Estimated homeless attendance was expected to be 10,000+. All volunteers were asked to sign up for various stations to care for the homeless, i.e., food, clothing, shoes, socks, hair cuts, personal hygiene, foot washing, counseling … You name it, the ministry we were helping had it all planned out. 

I arrived on time and visited the various stations to determine where I would be a good fit.  I found a line and stood in it for a few minutes. I must not have heard the instructions clearly, because I was in the line for foot washing. “I can’t do this,” I told myself. As it turned out, only licensed cosmetologists could actually do the foot washing. I was there to assist with towels, lotions, etc. Then escort each of our “guests” to receive new shoes and socks. This was an extremely humbling experience.

I saw each person stepping forward with their own story, set of problems, physical and/or mental limitations. They each greatly deserved all the gifts they could carry with them that day.

As I was leaving the convention center to my car, I passed a long line of homeless waiting to get into the convention center. In passing, I looked to my left and saw someone I had worked with at a law firm. I don’t think he recognized me. At that moment, I looked up to heaven and said softly, “Dear Lord, there but by Your grace go I.”

From that point on, I don’t judge the homeless. I realize all of us, homeless or not, need help. Today I support organizations for mental health wellness, rescue shelters, and giving a “step up” instead of a hand-out. Isn’t that what Jesus asked us to do?

Scripture says (Matthew 25:40-45):  “ ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’  “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Tagged: homelessness, prison ministry