Chapter 87
Unexpectedly Finding Yourself Homeless
Certainly people are homeless for many different reasons, and certainly some people can become homeless through no fault of their own. The homeless I am speaking of here are homeless through unexpected circumstances. Factory closings, home foreclosures, weather disasters, unemployment, layoffs, a family member’s death, and divorce are just some of the reasons someone may find him or herself unexpectedly homeless.
As America begins to experience more and more severe weath er judgments, unnumbered multitudes will find themselves homeless and facing uncertain futures. When disaster strikes, there is no respect for wealth or status. Across America we hear of trailer parks cleared to their foundation by tornadoes leaving a hundred or more homeless. We hear of fires or mudslides destroying subdivisions of million dollar homes in California, and we see hurricanes causing major destruction in states such as Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, georgia, north & south Carolina, Virginia, and Florida leaving families groping for tomorrow. In many of these past instances families have been able to rely on insurance or the government to survive and rebuild. However, insurance companies do not have bottomless pockets to dole out the money to handle claims, and the Federal government is bankrupt with over fourteen trillion dollars of debt. There is no guarantee that in every future crisis the government will be available to help. For instance, following Hurricane Katrina, Mississippians found insurance companies unwilling to pay claims, leaving arguments as to whether it was wind or water damage to the homes.
I believe many homeless are in this category, wanting to have a place to live and just be “normal.” One day they are working and living comfortably in their homes, and then circumstances change that cause them to lose their homes, jobs, and hope. They find themselves driving cars and vans coming across the country in wonderment looking for a place to start over. This was much like the situation the Lord had our family experience by taking us to Kansas. We wanted gainful Employment, a home, and a place to fit in. We didn’t understand what was happening at the time, and we were seeking that one miracle that would make it all change. But change was slow and difficult. It required serious prayer and obedience to the leading of the Lord. Families in the near future will be seeking immediate and compassionate help, and it is these families that the church should be very diligent to look after and support.
The church should also be compassionate toward helping those who are homeless for other reasons such as those caused by careless behavior. In many instances alcohol, drugs, gambling addiction or other types of outside influences can produce a homeless situation for an individual or family. Sometimes they may just be “down on their luck,” as many have been known to say. We have to be very careful how we treat these individuals or families, prayerfully considering the type of help we are being called on to give. Even the most grungy and smelly homeless person shuffling down the sidewalk is a human being under those filthy clothes.
Finally, there are the homeless that seem to be quite satisfied with living on the street. We might call them “homeless by choice.” I do not personally understand that mental condition, but I recognize its existence. Here on the gulf Coast we see individuals that are homeless and seem content living in the woods or under the bridges. We should realize that they may have a mental illness caused by a negative event or trauma, and with time and compassion they may be helped. Often we have helped them with food, clothing, and money, but they just continue each day not showing any desire to change. With these individuals we continually pray, asking the Holy spirit to lead us in helping those in our path, by His direction.
If we turn a deaf ear to the cries of the poor, or if we have a blind eye to those standing before us, our inaction could easily be setting the stage for our chance to experience the same! if we find ourselves slow to help out of concern for our safety, all we need do is to examine the peace in our gut. Let that lead us. As scripture says, “Let the peace of God rule in your heart (your gut level instinct).” 1 in all cases let us be careful to exert the correct attitude, because the Lord knows our heart intimately.