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The Homeless in America

By
Real Estate Agent with KW at the Parks 651506396

The Homeless in America

In my previous blog, entitled “Each person’s Life has Meaning and Purpose” I spoke of how society has created inequality in our humanity, but that God sees us all as equal, since we are all His children.

 I would like to continue on again with that same general theme with this blog.

My daughter-in-law, Heather, and I were talking on the phone last night, and she related the following event. Here is a little background information… Heather recently opened up an automotive repair shop, and mini-dealership in a blighted area of St Petersburg, Florida. My son’s children and Heather’s step-children, Chloe and Casey, are down spending a few weeks with them. Heather has been taking them over to the shop during the day, and the kids enjoy the action of customers coming in and out of the business. Chloe even thinks she “sold” a car to a customer yesterday morning, so she spent the afternoon on the Internet searching for something to buy with her “commission check.”

The shop was being renovated for the past several months, prior to its grand opening, and during that time; a homeless man started coming around their business. In conversations with the man, they determined that he was living in a storage shed behind an abandoned building across the street from their business. Guarded at first in their interactions with the man, they have come to the realization that he is harmless. Heather lets the man come into the shop during the day to get in out of the hot Florida sun. Yesterday when he was in, he met Chloe and Casey. After he left, little Casey asked where the man lived, and Heather told her that he lived in a shed across the street. Casey thought Heather was teasing her, until Heather walked Casey across the street to show her the man’s “home.” Heather said little Casey’s eyes got really big, and a sadness came over her face. Little Casey came face to face to the reality of poverty for the very first time.

Where I live, the local newspaper has been covering a story regarding on how the county’s executives are trying to deal with the tremendous increase in panhandlers on the streets begging for money. They have been debating how to legislate the situation away.

At the same time this debate has been going on, one of the newspaper’s columnists has been doing feature stories on these panhandlers. In one story he accompanied an apartment owner around as the owner attempted to hire those holding signs saying, “Will work for food”. Of the 5 people saying they wanted a job, only 1 showed up the next day…and that person simply wanted money…but didn’t want to work.

I don’t presume to know why these people came to be where they are. It is not my job to sit in judgment of them…that’s God’s job. Along with little Casey, sadness comes over my face when I see them too. They are the lost and broken among us.

I would suggest to you that they are not the only lost and broken among us…and the lack of money is not the determining factor on whether a person is lost and broken. I would offer up that the Kardashian’s, the Lohan’s of the world, and any number of Housewives of (You Pick the City) are every bit as lost.

My dad had a saying…my dad always had a saying…anyway, it went something like this, “It’s not what you make; it’s what you do with it after you get it that counts.” Based on my lower middle class upbringing…my dad wasn’t speaking of a stock portfolio…he was just talking about not spending more than you made, or spending it foolishly.  However, I think you can expand the meaning of his saying to include spending lavishly on weddings, diamond rings, cars, estates, and any other sort of extreme extravagance while others suffer.

For everyone of the poor examples listed above; where, for reasons known only to God, have hit life’s lottery, and have more money than they know what to do with…there are those who are quietly going about providing safe drinking water in Africa, educating the poor, ridding the world of polio and a host of other deadly diseases, providing affordable AID’s medicine, putting smiles on faces of children born with a cleft pallet.

There are the lost and the broken among us…but God also has blessed us with many of His angels as well. I guess the question then becomes…which one are we?

I think the following passage from Matthew 16:25 sort of sums up what I’ve been attempting to say… “For whoever wants to save his life lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what does it benefit a person, if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what can a person give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

 

 

Comments (33)

John Dotson
Preferred Properties of Highlands, Inc. - Highlands, NC - Highlands, NC
The experience to get you to the other side!

Tom,

Truth, spoken without judgement, condemnation and with honesty harms no one.

Much of the world is suffering, thanks to the greed and inhumanity of humans.  If we can make a positive difference to the greater good, no matter how small, we have indeed accomplished something.

Many people of many different faiths have suffered and died for our collective right to freedom of speech and religion.

There are many Gods to many people.  Who's to say they are not one and the same.

This is your blog, go for it! 

Jun 22, 2012 12:19 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Thomas, I tend to shy away from commenting on any posts that have any religious references in them. But after much thought, this one is near and dear to my heart. You have hit upon many components in this post, that no matter what background, religion, belief system a person has in place, they can relate to most of this.

Life lessons tell me:

  • Do not judge, I do not understand what puts someone in the position where they are.
  • It could be me, be very grateful for what I have.

If I offer someone work, and they chose not to, I don't have to give them money anyway. If I were truly the person I strive to be, then that would be the end of that. No judgment, no nothing. My choice to either give them money or not, give a hand or not. But because I have no idea what put them on the street, I hope that I will not judge.

Drug and alcohol addiction is a sickness, a severe illness which we do not really do much about that works here. It is a gift to me that I do not suffer from either of these addictions. Or the horrors that our vets might have seen over the years, the fact that some were severely wounded inside their souls, their very being, I cannot comprehend that.

Many of the homeless have severe mental issues, yet were turned out on the streets, and have the right to refuse medication. I have my own thoughts on that as I was attacked by a homeless person who acted on his right to refuse his medication, and was therefore not culpable in what happened.

Perhaps we should address mental illness in a less archaic way, remove the stigma, really help. Perhaps we should find a better way to deal with drug and alcohol addiction. Perhaps we should have really helped the vets who came home suffering. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps.

But in the meantime, it is just not my place to judge. Lazy? How do I know. I have not walked a mile in this persons shoes. Hopelessness breeds what others might mislabel as being lazy. And yes, I am sure there are some who just want to take advantage. I was not given the insight to read a persons soul to know what their innermost thoughts are.

 

Jun 22, 2012 12:33 AM
Ed Tseng
El Sobrante, CA

Wow, good writing, should send to Readers' Digest.

This is the kind of writing brings out my sympathies, but on the other hand when I see the lost ones drinking, smoking, and lying along the streets and under freeway crossovers; or the lazy, overweight, filthy, diabetic, and unwilling to improve food stamp receivers; what am I to do, what am I to think? … I am LOST too.

 

Jun 22, 2012 12:36 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Life's journey is simply the choices we make, yet there are some who are unable to discern their choices, aen't they?

God created us with the freedom to choose and unfortunately some choose despair and self destruction. Helping people experiencing difficult challenges is a virtue but only rewarding when those that need help are willing to take action and change the direction of their journey. Unfortunately, many are beyond reality.

Jun 22, 2012 12:56 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I admit to being surprised to see a post like this one in the Daily Drop. I think it points to the community aspect of Active Rain that we all love so much.

Jun 22, 2012 01:02 AM
Anne Richards
Short Sale Buyers and Negotiators - Los Angeles, CA

With all due respect to your spiritual choices, you had me with your message of compassion until the very end where you made the choice to place it in a specific theological context by citing the Book of Matthew. The main points of your message can be appreciated by people of all faiths, and even those of no faiths. In fact, I am willing to put myself out there and say that the most important teaching of all religions is to treat others as you would wish to be treated--that is, show tolerance, compassion, and refrain from judging or condemning.  I feel that in a business blog, there is no need to tie such a universal message to a particular theology.

Jun 22, 2012 01:09 AM
Deborah Fox
Villager Realty Inc - Selinsgrove, PA

Dear Tom, Earlier in the week I saw the post written by an agent whose client had walked "because God told them to" and was so distressed by the posts that followed. I thought about it all day, wondering what to post as an answer to all those who made snarky remarks and  those from whom God has no place in their lives.  This is the perfect post - not touching the other, but stating clearly that Christ does have a place in your life, and in your business, and anywhere else you roam today.  Thanks a bunch.  This does the trick. 

Jun 22, 2012 01:11 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Thomas, Jesus said we would always have the poor but he also tells us to help the poor( but not to enable them).

Jun 22, 2012 01:20 AM
Gary & April Greer
Realty ONE Group Southwest - Temecula, CA
Real Estate Professionals

Thomas,

What an inspiration you are to write so freely.  I absolutely loved this post.  As someone in the public eye (Realtors) I find it tiresome at times to try and please everyone, agree with everyone and disagree with no one all at the same time to protect the shade of gray that we are taught from the beginning that we must operate our business under to be successful.  The truth is that showing your true self enables the public to make a better choice in who they do business with.  And I dear Sir would do business with you.

Sincerely,

April Greer

 

PS...We are what we believe in and you were right on target to quote The Book you live your life by.

 

 

Jun 22, 2012 02:27 AM
S W
Seattle, WA
I love your post. It is beautiful. Thank you for it. Different parts of it resonated for me in different ways. I love the role of mercy. It doesn't matter whether we think others deserve it, does it? "Deserve" is about us justifying ourselves. We all need mercy. It feels icky to me that people jump on your bible quote. I feel that Jesus and the bible have somehow become a cuss word in western society. I don't understand that reaction. Jesus changed my life. I love Jesus. I don't want to hide in the closet, but sometimes I feel I get treated like I should be ashamed about what he has done in my life. I feel shamed for talking about it. I was hard-hearted, Jesus softened my heart of rock. I was cold and unforgiving and unmerciful, Jesus slowly revealed my heart to me. I didn't love and cherish others. I didn't really know how to listen to others, to be present with them. I judged, all the time. I thought I was virtuous; I was not. By my foolishness, I ruined my life. Jesus remade my life. Everything's different now. I am different now. Religion didn't do that for me: Jesus did that for me. He gave me mercy. The Bible is the story of Jesus. It is not a cuss word. It is the source of life. Where else would I look to find Jesus? Should I pretend that something other than Jesus changed my life? Should I say, "I changed my life, and Jesus helped"? That wouldn't be true. I couldn't do anything different than I was doing. I tried. It didn't work. My change wasn't human-powered. It was Jesus-powered. It was supernatural transformation. Jesus changed my life. Everything's different. I love Jesus. I have found rest. Jesus said, "Come to me, you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
Jun 22, 2012 03:53 AM
Fred Sed
Fred Sed Group ~ Your Premier Southern California Realtors - Irvine, CA
Your Southern Cali Realtor, Why? Because Fred Se

Great post Tom! It is indeed true that we often value a person based on their net worth, celebrity status, or power when in fact God has created us all equally and the value is in the creation that the creator has made.

 

I know that your grandchildren will never be the same after that interaction and hopefully it will be the beginning of something very special.

Jun 22, 2012 03:59 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Hello again Tom. I hear you and I guess that maybe we will never see eye to eye on expressing religion in business. I tend to agree with Anne #21. Say hello to Gina for me and enjoy your weekend.

Jun 22, 2012 04:08 AM
Thomas Craig
KW at the Parks - Orlando, FL

To all of you who took time out of your busy schedules to leave a comment...thank you! That is what is so wonderful about our country, we call all share ideas with each other...even though we may differ.

If only the folks in Washington could be as civil to each other as we have been towards each other, perhaps we could solve some of our problems!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tom

Jun 22, 2012 04:20 AM
Anne Richards
Short Sale Buyers and Negotiators - Los Angeles, CA

My point, and this is mainly addressed to Saray (#25) is that many people are religious and completely agree with the message of compassion.  However, theologically, we may not be believers in Jesus in the way you are.  We may, for example, be Jewish. I would never characterize the Bible as "a cuss word," or try to take your beliefs away from you. I'm interested, though, in emphasizing what we all have in common.

Jun 22, 2012 04:55 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

The whole issue of helping the poor is a tough one. Who is truly poor and in need, and who is simply milking the system?

I just read a story about millions of California welfare dollars being spent at Las Vegas casinos, on cruise ships, and at Florida resort hotels. Then there's the documentary that Nancy Pelosi's daughter filmed - showing people waiting in line to get their hand-outs an freely stating that they did not want employment.

In the old "give a man a fish / teach a man to fish" saying, they have no desire to be taught. "Just gimmie!"

I've come to the conclusion that the people who really need help are the ones who are struggling to get by and who don't ask for anything. I wish I knew a way to identify them and to reach out anonymously to them to add a few dollars to their purses.

Meanwhile, I'm not a religious person so can't quote the Bible. But I love what Mike (#23) had to say about what Jesus said. "Help, but don't enable."

Right now I believe all of our government programs "Enable, but don't help."

Jun 22, 2012 05:34 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

It its a tough situation.  I think there are people that are homeless who are honest and hard working.  Government is not the solution.  Jesus and his spirit in people is.

Jun 22, 2012 01:36 PM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

A great post & sad that little girl had to learn a tough life story that day.

Jun 22, 2012 11:02 PM
Jeanne Dufort
Coldwell Banker Lake Country - Madison, GA
Madison and Lake Oconee GA

I'm glad Heather is willing to open her door, and allow her children to meet, her homeless neighbor.  Its complicated, but surely the simple compassion of a day out of the hot Florida sun is a gift that is priceless.

Jun 22, 2012 11:38 PM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Thomas, my Dad had a similar saying "it's not the high cost of living, it's the cost of living high!" that is expensive.

Jun 23, 2012 06:25 AM
Julie Babcock -Nook & Cranny Home Inspections
Nook & Cranny Home Inspections Tonawanda, NY - Tonawanda, NY

Preach on, and live on.  The happiest people I know are those that know how to serve and give, regardless of how much they make or own.  So long as I'm able, I give to those who ask.  But I give a McDonalds or Tim Horton's gift card loaded with $5 which makes it a little harder to use the gift for possible vices instead of what it was intended for.

Jun 24, 2012 10:46 AM