The Poor You Will Always Have with You

Human beings are born with basic physiological needs such as water, food, shelter, and clothing.  We’re also born with the need to love, to be loved, and to belong.  When the latter needs are not met, a person hurts. 

If a person doesn’t feel loved, loving themselves and loving others will be a challenge.  They may trudge through life as a broken shadow of their true selves--the man or woman they  are meant to be.

The homeless men and women in our community come from many walks of life.  Many come from families mired in poverty and social dysfunction.  Others may be down-on-their luck professionals who, for a variety of reasons, lost their jobs and left their families.  Many have been rejected by family and friends and are trapped in drug or alcohol addiction, feeling abandoned, and mired in despair.  Mental illness is common.  We must always remember that there is an intrinsic dignity and worth in every human being, regardless of their physical, mental and spiritual state. 

This dignity may be camouflaged, but it’s real. 

As a counselor, I help clients heal from the impact of unmet needs.  I also help clients learn how to take charge of their lives and to have their needs met in healthy, life-giving ways.  Often, the homeless have no qualms about acknowledging their wounds.  They’ll speak the truth about themselves and others in a more transparent manner than my clients from more stable circumstances.

Homeward Bound of Steubenville seeks to come alongside wounded persons like those described above to bring hope and healing.  They may have learned from their mistakes or circumstances that got them to where they are, and they want to break out.  Our helping hands can make the difference between continuing in a life of depression and despair or getting a new start.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta often said that she and her sisters serve Christ in His most distressing disguises.  Think about that!  Perhaps there is a master plan that the poor and homeless will always be with us in order to break our hearts, to see past the ‘distressing disguise’ to the dignified brother and sister who will change our hearts!

We, their fellow citizens, have the privilege of loving them into healing by meeting their needs in whatever capacity we can.  We, who have received so much, can give our time, talent and treasure to help them.  Because the poor and homeless will always be with us, we have ample opportunities to step out of our comfort zones and expand our charitable horizons.  

Will you join us?