When wrongs will be made right.
Have you ever experienced that horrible mad-sad feeling where there’s a situation that just isn’t fair, but you are quite literally too small to do anything about it?
That’s where I was yesterday, where I am today, and where I probably will be tomorrow. And maybe for a long time. Oh, don’t get me wrong … I’ve been on my face in prayer about it, and I completely trust that the LORD sees and He knows … but the evil that men (a term for mankind) do has me a little bit spun because of the injustice of it all. In fact, I’m shaking in anger just writing this, my stomach doing flip flops inside.
This is a story of violence perpetrated on someone, while homeless, is just like you or me.
Meet Marilyn
My friend Marilyn came to shower with us yesterday and she grabbed me in one of those hard hugs I’ve already told you about. It was a ‘hold on for dear life’ kind of hug and I just held her back, feeling her shake a little under my arms and knowing she just needed some strength which I was happy to share with her.
“What’s the matter, sweetheart?” I asked her.
“My anxiety is really getting to me today,” she answered, a little teary-eyed. “I’m just a mess right now.”
“What’s going on?” I asked her, so grateful that my co-worker Greg could handle everything else that was going on with our other guests while I gave Marilyn my much-needed and undivided attention.
She went on to tell me that she and one of her ‘street-daughters’ (a term which means a younger friend that has become as near and dear as family) had been walking along the road and some guys in a truck drove by and began throwing frozen eggs at them. One of the rock-hard eggs had hit her ‘daughter’ squarely in the eye and she is now blind in that eye because of it.
BLIND.
Because someone with evil on their minds had nothing better to do than assault two women who were in the wrong place at the wrong time when they ‘just happened’ to have frozen eggs in their truck? Because they looked homeless? Because they live in a poorer area of town? Because, technically, a frozen egg isn’t a weapon and there’s no law against having them? Because they don’t have anyone to defend them and they are too afraid to call the authorities? How in the world can this go unpunished? How many were victimized and irreparably damaged by this unthinkable behavior? And how in the world did human beings become ‘less-than’ due to the mere geography of where they lay their head at night and deserving of being hunted and hated?
Not all “homeless” are dead-beats …
Not all homeless are like those the main-stream media depicts. Have you ever scratched your head in wonder when the news reporters shove a camera and a microphone into the face of the one person in the crowd least likely to be able to form a complete thought? Why do they do that? For ratings of course, and because that’s what they think the viewer expects. Please don’t tell me that they are fulfilling a pre-determined agenda of casting fear and unrest and societal division; or portraying their biased opinions that those without homes are somehow no longer human and deserve to be treated as criminals.
Please don’t tell me that …
There are a few who tell the truth about the homeless crisis; the truth that there are many fine and respectable citizens who work, are insured, and have licenses, and even college degrees, and just happen to live on the street or in their cars. The truth that many of us are just a paycheck or two away from the very same situation. That one large unpayable bill (medical emergency anyone?) or the loss of a job, or an increase in rent, or the death of a spouse, and one could find themselves in the very same circumstances. But every time one of their articles is published, the majority of comments made by the public are horrific in their attacks. There is no kindness, no compassion, no inkling of empathy…just venom and anger and hate and judgement. And though I can understand the reactions, I haven’t a clue how to help them see that they are just feeding the fear factor so prevalent in s today’s society for anyone or anything that is different from what we know.
Yes, in truth, there ARE the homeless vagrants who trash every square inch of space they can find to squat on. Yes, there are those who would rather do their drugs and be left alone to wallow in their mess. And yes, there are the criminals and will take advantage of each and every situation and will destroy whatever they can. They make up a tenth of the homeless population. One-tenth. So, if we have a homeless population of 2000 in Modesto, that’s 200 individuals. And trust me, the police and those working with the homeless know exactly who these 200 are. That leaves 1800 people that look surprisingly just like you and me.
We all bleed the same (Mandissa)
Because we at Shower and Laundry Shuttle serve the homeless and working poor with kindness and compassion, and without judgement, we have become trusted friends and family. It is a unique calling that many don’t understand. In fact, when I shared this story with an older relative, she just looked at me with a blank stare. There was nothing in her face … she simply and quite honestly could not even relate to anything or anyone in this story.
But serving isn’t all we do. We are a bridge. We are able to speak to large groups and individuals who want to hear about the ministry, like church and community-centric groups who have the means to help; those with kind hearts and compassion, those who realize that helping the homeless helps us all. We shed light on the truth of the situation … that both the homeless and the those with homes all have the same needs and wants, which is love and acceptance and family and community. We all need to have a sense of worth and purpose and belonging. To borrow a phrase from a song by Mandissa, ‘we all bleed the same.’
So what can we do?
I know what I do. I pray with faith, knowing that God sees and loves each and every person that He created, and we have been commanded to do the same. I remember that every man will have to give account for every idle word (and deed) on the Day of Judgement, and that I can but be still and know, and that the LORD will avenge every injustice. We all can do that, and in fact, should do that FIRST!
Can we come and tell you about what we do?
Secondly, if you have an opportunity where we can come and share and tell some truths about the work we do and who we serve, give us a call. Only through active hearing with compassionate hearts, will we be able to bridge this divide and heal the hate. And always, if it is on your hearts to partner with us financially, we promise we will take each and every cent of your donation and return it to those who are benefitting from these amazing services. Someday, perhaps we will no longer be as necessary and vital as we are now, because all those in need will have a place to call their own. But for now, join us in prayer as we continue to restore hope and dignity to those in need.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6