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The other day, while driving back from Atlanta, I was searching radio stations. I browsed through the typical country and R & B, looking for some good old rock n roll to listen too, when I came across a station with a pastor preaching.
Usually, I would skip right over this kind of station, but for some reason, I stopped on it to listen. What I heard was something I have been feeling for a long time, something I wasn't too proud of but felt I had a right to believe. The pastor was speaking about when to help the homeless.
Now, being a Christian, I believe you are supposed to help anyone who God places in front of you. It says in the Bible to help the poor and I believe we all should do so. But one thing this pastor was preaching was which homeless to help.
He said, "I was walking down the street and saw two homeless men. One was sitting on a bucket with two other buckets turned upside-down, beating the tar out of them, forming a rhythmic beat. He was asking for money because he was homeless but at the same time, providing a service of entertainment. The other homeless man was just standing there, asking for spare change.
"Who do you think I gave my money to?"
The pastor's message was about giving back to those who are in need but also making an effort to get back up after hitting rock bottom.
This blew me away. I was so excited that someone else felt the way I did. Like I said before, I wasn't proud of this feeling until I heard someone else state they felt the same. I guess I felt we all should help but at the same time, why would I give my money to someone who's just going to spend it on liquor or drugs? I'm not saying that's what the other homeless man wanted, but you still never know.
When I was working as a janitor at Epps Aviation in Atlanta, I would drive north on I-85 everyday and get off at the same exit. At the exit, there was always this redheaded man asking for food. I would often give him what was left of my lunch and he would always reply, "God bless."
A few weeks later, I saw him again but in a different place. He was getting ready to go to sleep behind a pet store. I stopped and talked with him. I found out he used to be a mechanic and fell on hard times after getting caught up in drugs. He said he had changed and found God. I believed him, so I helped set him up an interview as an airplane mechanic at Epps.
To this day, I still don't know if he got the job (I left for the Army shortly after) but I do know he was honestly trying to better his life again.
Now I ask myself, why did I help him and not the other homeless people I've seen in Atlanta? Once again, maybe it was because when I actually spoke with him, he was honest about what he did wrong and wanting to change and the others openly admitted they wanted money to score some drugs.
Which brings me back to the original point; today, on CNN.com, I read a story about two men in Florida who were living in the SUV. One had lost his job and the other was waiting for disability money to start coming in.
I applaud these two men because instead of taking advantage of just asking others for money, they are making things like grasshoppers out of palm fronds and going to the library to look for places to live and jobs on the internet. They are at rock bottom but not giving up.
Fully, my thought is we all should help the homeless. But I feel we should help those who want to really be helped, the ones who are trying to make a better life for themselves. Even in this dismal rescission, there's still jobs out there, waiting to be filled. We need to help those who want to be helped get those jobs so they might one day get out of the hole they are in.
Ryan Stroud is a military trained journalist who has served in Iraq with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, US Army. Prior to his military experiences, Stroud grew up playing, coaching, and refereeing soccer. Also, Stroud focused many years of his life playing, touring, and recording/producing local music acts. He has a wonderful wife of 4 years, a 2 year old son and a newborn daughter.
Stroud's biggest writing influences are Jim Butcher, Chuck Palahniuk, Edward Lee, Jack Ketchum, Christopher Moore and Ben Fox.
He currently resides in Huntsville, Al, with the 59th Ordnance Brigade at Redstone Arsenal.
Stroud would also like to take a moment to thank his friends who are currently in battle over in Iraq. God bless all of you.
» left by robert melaccio sr (192 days 9 hours ago.)
Ryan, Isaiah 58 says it all. It is our duty to give from our surplus. Yes and if you do not work you shall not receive, the Word. So this does not apply to the believer. Now be careful I said believer. So we should always keep in mind that question, how many entertain angels unawares? So I ask you to consider this. How many hope and long for a job, a roof over their heads, some help to feed their loved ones, their children? Yes true believers get up off the floor and move on and carry their cross but we never should forget, there but for the grace of God go I. In my opinion you won't find mercy, love, compassion much in main line churches any longer. A title or position does not make one a believer, it is the works. God is calling us all now to make a choice. Perhaps those two people were a sign we all need to consider? Thanks, best wishes.
» left by Suzy(888) Suzy from Midwest-USA (164 days 11 hours ago.)
Nice article ~ I too am a follower of Jesus. I gave money to a homeless cause the other day ~ a volunteer was collecting money outside of a Krogers' store ~ my thinking is that many homeless people on the streets are/were war veterans who never got appropriate help after leaving the service or maybe discharged because of claiming to have post-war syndrome. I personally give and pray the money goes to a good cause ~ many on the streets prior to the recession were people who won't or are not able to help themselves by taking proper meds ~ some psychotic people are that way. Those our my thoughts and blessings to you. Suzy
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