America’s Ghosts: The Homeless

We’ve all been guilty of it. We walk or drive by a depraved looking man or women, wearing ragged clothing and holding a sign declaring a need for food or shelter, and we turn our heads and look the other way. “If I give them money they will just use it to buy drugs or alcohol” is a common thought to many. While many homeless individuals do suffer from drug and/or alcohol addictions, this does not justify ignoring the relational and social aspects of homelessness. I’m a Christian and look at every person on this earth as my brother or sister, which creates a different view on the down trodden. While the “Give a man a fish…” phrase could easily be used to describe what happens when you drop 50 cents or a dollar into that old ragged hat or tin can, it still shows a level of compassion and care for the human race that is missing in modern culture.

A Christian friend once told me to not get so caught up in how someone will make use of the aid you give them, but rather focus on the action you have committed. Her point was, if you give someone money and they use it to support their alcohol addiction the ball is now in their court. If you make a radical decision to selflessly help your fellow man, God will reward you for your action; however, what someone does with your charitable gift is between them and God.

You never know what someone will do with your selfless love, so never become puffed up and too proud to give your heart. The homeless aren’t too proud to beg, and have in fact given up all dignity and confidence in self sufficiency. In a big way, the homeless are acting selfless because they have reduced their options to relying on other people to survive, so who are you to scoff at their needs. Obviously, homelessness is a major epidemic and none of us can single handedly solve the problem. But, a nation of people who believe in looking out for their brothers and sisters who have fallen on hard times can make a profound impact. Give to the homeless, and give without shame. You never know what they will do with your gift, and you just may encourage onlookers to do the same. Our country was founded on the premise that each and every citizen has a right to the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness promised by their Creator, so don’t be a part of a culture guilty of ignoring that promise.

The very word “homeless” has become either a 4-letter word or a Miss America-esque quip we throw out to show our compassion.  We see such a high degree of self sufficiency and wealth in America, that the thought of someone not having the motivation to get a job is despicable to many of us. Of course, a bit of rational thinking and statistical research tells us that many homeless individuals suffer from mental and physical disease and have fallen victim to a lot of bad luck. In cities such as New York, Baltimore and D.C., the homeless are as abundant as parking meters or street signs, and are treated as such. Hurried city-dwellers, rushing to meet deadlines and keep lunch appointments step over and around the lifeless bodies curled under trees and under awnings, and usually never look down to notice the presence of a struggling human life.

Homelessness is one of those “big issues” that requires a turn-around in the overall mentality of America before any major impact will be seen. We are a self-serving culture, focused on personal credentials and until that changes, those lifeless bodies will continue to haunt the streets of our cities. Noticed by a seldom few, they are America’s ghosts.