Would you believe you might be working with someone who is homeless? What about hungry? I mean, they work right along side you, right? Surely not. They get the same pay you do but they are homeless. So, your mind begins reeling with judgments and accusations. Well, if they took better care of their finances they wouldn't be homeless or hungry you decide. Somewhere inside you there is a still, small voice telling you they don't know where they are laying their head tonight but you shove it to the far corner hoping the Voice will be quiet. Yet, He isn't quiet for He was homeless. He was God alone manifested in the flesh, Jesus Christ the Righteous. Yes, folks, He was homeless. Why was He homeless? Everything belonged to Him yet He was homeless. Maybe to understand what it feels like to feel judged, alone, depressed, hungry? I don't really understand why but He did. I am so glad He did.
There are many factors that add to the homeless statistics today. There are foreclosures, poverty, eroding work opportunities, decline in public assistance, lack of affordable housing, lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, mental illness and addiction disorders.
Before you think this couldn't be you, let's create a little scenario. You are the main character. You signed on a beautiful home to make room for the new baby less than six months ago. Great job, great life. Now, routine doctor visit reveals terminal cancer in your spouse. You are shocked! You go through the treatments and thank God all along the way for the insurance. It's not covering everything but it's okay.You have saved long enough to cover most of it.
You are headed to work now thinking how tired and weary you are becoming. So much work, money getting short and thinking about the huge stack of credit card bills, bank notes and uncovered insurance bills on your desk waiting on you when you get home. Not paying attention, someone pulls out in front you, you swerve, hit an embankment. The other driver isn't hurt. At least it doesn't seem like it. You are okay just shaken. You exchange information. You are relieved.
You head to work. Boss looks quiet serious. No smiles today as he brings you into the office and let's you know the company is downsizing and here is one month's pay in advance. Find another job. Sorry. You are devastated.
Exhausted, you head home to your family and those lovely bills. You begin writing checks and balancing. Not much left and you can't pay your mortgage. Meanwhile, you cannot get your coworker off your mind. His image keeps popping into your head with that heavy look in his eyes and always rubbing his head. You are starting to understand now a little of why he was rubbing his head in frustration for you find yourself doing the same thing.
You begin to feel like you are in a drowning sea of problems. Now you have been outsourced, your home is being foreclosed upon and there is simply not enough. That lovely little mishap in the car, oh, it wasn't covered. Forgot to pay the premium. Now they want to sue.
Fast forward you and your family are struggling just to survive. Fighting for the home is long since gone, fighting keep the credit cards that are flooded by interest. Now the new baby and you family are in an apartment that barely fits you all and you don't know if you will be able to stay another month.
You go to the bathroom and wipe your face, there are those eyes. The same look in your coworkers eyes is now in yours. Now you see. How clearly you see.
No comments:
Post a Comment