Twas the Monday before Christmas...
Here is a good post and very thoughtful. I think we could open our abandoned homes and hotels for that matter to shelter people from the cold.
I have a Doberman puppy named Hooch. Every morning around 4:00am, he decides he needs a bathroom break. We keep him in the laundry room at night, so this requires (me, can't anyone else hear him?) get up and let him out. This morning after I put him out, I started my usual routine; put on the coffee, put a log in the fireplace, turn on the heating pad (I have a bad back) and turn on the Christmas tree. Ah, what a comfy sight. My wife always puts soft Christmas lights along the mantle, the tree is shimmering with lights, and the fireplace warms the room with it's peaceful glow.
I always start the day with a prayer of thanks. Thanks for a roof over my head, food in the fridge, money to pay bills, etc...This morning as I was about to open my bible, I asked God to show me a way in which I could help those less fortunate. I don't have a ton of money (I have five kids of my own), but I live comfortable enough. I remembered seeing throughout the bible where it said, through GOD'S power great things could be done.
Then, as if on cue, God spoke to my heart about the homeless. Since we are in the "home" business, I mentally asked him what did he want me to do? The thoughts started to flood my mind. In our area (Memphis TN), there are quite a few homeless. The shelters, the news says, stay at capacity. I thought, there are about 3,500 agents in this town (down from around 5,000 due to the economy). I thought if each agent just gave a $100 dollars once a year, that would generate $350,000 a year. That amount could increase significantly if those who could gave more. Put that money with whatever corporate giving that could be solicited and you have MORE than enough to help facilitate maybe purchasing some city owned property (could possibly be given tax breaks or even given a building and maintaining it).
In addition, other real estate related businesses, such as mortgage companies, home inspectors, home improvement companies, could all make donations. Even if they were ONLY a $100 a year, you can see where it could snowball. I have hear about companies donating their services.
When I went to my Yahoo start page, a story from Chicago showed where the homeless were starting to squat in foreclosed houses. I know there are probably a lot of things I am missing related to the limitations, but it would be a great start. I know today I will touch base with the local homeless advocacy group to see about starting a voluntary fund aimed at addressing this need. I know I would be willing to speak to churches, businesses or anyone else to help raise awareness and funds for this need. It's not just drunks and drug-users that are homeless. It is families, too, affected by the down economy. I don't know where this is headed, but I feel God has pointed me in a direction, and by this blog maybe you too. Will we answer him with a yes, or will we say "there is no room in the inn"?
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