A bit of reality to choke down

We began our weekly Bible study yesterday for a few homeless guys. Only 2 showed up. We fed them some pizza, and realized rather quickly that we needed to spend some time getting to know them. So rather than a Bible study, we spent over an hour just hanging out and getting to know these guys.

sometimes I forget how good my life is. I was reminded of how blessed I am yesterday.

most of us look for a reason why folks are homeless and try to fix it. After all, Jesus does not want people to live like that. They just need to have more of a quiet time, seek Jesus with their heart, do good and everything will turn out good.

both these guys are some what mentally unstable. Probably no more than me, but it is evident when you spend some time with them. So the quiet time theory was shot down.

neither of them drink nor do they do drugs. Both have been coming to our Church service for a few months. Both have similar stories. Things just escalated to a point they lost control. One sleeps in his car, the other sleeps in bushes.

I asked them why they don't stay at the shelter.
"cause you have to stay up all night just to watch your stuff. When ever you doze off, druggies and drunks steal your stuff." "it is easier for me just to sleep in the bushes somewhere, at least I can get some rest."

I asked them about the day labor deal they both work at.
"I get sent out on jobs about once a week. Mainly cause the drunks who wet themselves and the druggies cause a scene and the jobs go to them so they can get them out and stop bothering people."

the cops roust them up from time to time, keeping them out of the downtown square. "they do that so all the big time horse ranchers and big time money folks don't have to see us. Like they are gonna have to look at us or something."

My buddy who was there with me asked me, "how do we relate to these guys?"

I have been thinking of that over night.

I am not sure I can relate. I have never been homeless. Although I was a junkie for a number of years, I was on the street by choice. All I could come up with is this. We are to love them, accept them, treat them with respect, show them some charity, and ask Jesus to guide them. We cannot fix their problems. Or can we?

I asked them "In an perfect world, what would you want for yourself?"

one said..."A room with a bed, a place to shower a few times a week, money for cigs, and a place to do laundry."

the other said..."A place to do ministry, like a rescue mission...And a puppy."

I guess when all else has left, the simplest of things become more important.

I woke up this morning and thought. My bed seemed a little softer last night. My wife was more beautiful. My rented home was a castle. My job suddenly became more interesting. Breakfast tasted better. Salvation was sweeter. Doing laundry was not as big a deal.

all these things were not sweeter cause I have this and those guys don't. It was not better cause I was better off. It was not cause I was blessed and they weren't.

they were sweeter because I realize I actually appreciate what I have. For the first time in my life, I am not looking for a bigger house, bigger and nicer car, for more electronics, more clothes, more stuff, more money, more of anything...But Jesus.

life can be a bitch. Stuff happens that we have no control over. Stuff happens that makes us angry and bitter. Stuff happens that build us up and tear us down.

perspective is key. The way we live and the things we have and the things we want can all be put into perspective when we look outside our comfort and talk to some one who has nothing, and doesn't really want much.

mine changed. Over pizza and a couple of smelly guys just talking...About life. Real life.