How can one be home for Christmas...
If one has no home?...
It's that time of the year when all families start buying gifts for each other...
a time when new cookie recipes are being tried out...
a time when trees are put up and lights are hung...
That cheery Christmas feeling is all around it seems! I love it, don't you?
In the midst of all the hustle and bustle...
we walk in the mall and on the streets...
passing by passer-byers assuming they're doing the same thing as you are-
worrying about what Uncle Mike, or Cousin Sandy wants for Christmas...
or what we're going to wear at the office Christmas party- Oh my gosh! The red top with the black shoes? Or...?
What we unfortunately never think about is the fact that yes,
there are some people out there that aren't happy this time of the year.
"WHAT? That's insane!", you may say to yourself. But I remind you, to some people-
This time of the year can be the most UNwonderful time of the year.
Think about the orphans who know not of true love.
Or never been given the chance to know they're real parents...
Or those that are in homes where they are neglected by all.
Wait, how about this. Think about yourself.
Many of you (including myself), have lost a friend-
Maybe from sickness...or things such as an unfortunate car accident.
How do you think their parents feel this time of the year?
Think about it.
Think about your parents. Have they lost their parents?
Don't you think that their heart aches during this time?
Christmas is probably the most popular holiday that encircles the essence of the word "Family"...
And when a loved one is no longer here... hearts ache... sadness engulfs individuals...
But often times these feelings are masked by a smile. That's part of the reason this year, to many,
is the most UNwonderful time of the year.
So...let's get back to the word "Family".
We all know the song, "I'll be hommmeee for Christmasss".
But
How can one be home for Christmas...
If one has no home?
Think about the homeless.
Many of us have this negative attitude towards homeless people.
"Are they for REAL?"
"They probably make more money than I do in a day!"
"There are shelters around- why don't they just go there??"
Yes, I, too, have asked those same questions.
There is one homeless man that I pass by almost everyday coming home from school.
He's always standing there at the intersection holding his "Help me" sign.
I have a soft heart towards the homeless...and basically anyone else that is in need,
but because of the tainted view society has placed on these people... most times I ignore them.
It was until the other night I was in the car with Brian.
We got to talking about the homeless... specifically this white-bearded man at the intersection.
We were asking questions, "Why doesn't he just get help from a shelter?"..."Why doesn't he just do this?"
or, "Why doesn't he just do that?"
Then Brian said, "I wonder what his story is?"
Seriously. What's this guy's story? How did he end up like this?
Doesn't he have any family? If so, WHY the heck won't they help him out!!?
For all we know..he could have lived the toughest life EVER...and all we do is try to get into the other lane..
farthest from him... so we don't have to make eye contact.
That night..while I was in bed, the homeless man popped into my mind.
I couldn't stop thinking about him.
"What's his story?" "Where did he come from?" What's...his name?"
The following day...I was coming home from school.. not even thinking about the homeless man...
I come up to the intersection...and see him there. My heart starts racing and I dart for my school bag and fumble around for my wallet..
Light turns green.
I pass the man holding the sign. My heart is still racing.
I can't stop thinking of him.
Next day. I'm driving home after a long day of finals.. I see the homeless man again.
Now, I didn't have ANY cash on me except two dollars. I sit there while I watch the car in front hand him money.
He smiles and thanks the man in the car...hurries off the other direction and crosses the road. I have the money in my hands
and the question, "Is he REALLY homeless?.. Gosh, he's probably going to the gas station to by him some beer!" crossed my mind again.
But then some sort of urgency came over me. I just HAD to give him the money.
I knew it was God. For whatever the reason- God had a purpose for me to give the man the two dollars.
So I look out the window and he looks back and we meet eyes. I motion for him to come over.
He runs over and I hand him my crumpled money. He thanks me..
I said, "God bless"
He says, "I hope you have a Merry Christmas"
"You too, sir"
He's homeless.
How can one be home for Christmas, when one has no home...
It's that time of the year when all families start buying gifts for each other...
a time when new cookie recipes are being tried out...
a time when trees are put up and lights are hung...
That cheery Christmas feeling is all around it seems! I love it, don't you?
In the midst of all the hustle and bustle...
we walk in the mall and on the streets...
passing by passer-byers assuming they're doing the same thing as you are-
worrying about what Uncle Mike, or Cousin Sandy wants for Christmas...
or what we're going to wear at the office Christmas party- Oh my gosh! The red top with the black shoes? Or...?
What we unfortunately never think about is the fact that yes,
there are some people out there that aren't happy this time of the year.
"WHAT? That's insane!", you may say to yourself. But I remind you, to some people-
This time of the year can be the most UNwonderful time of the year.
Think about the orphans who know not of true love.
Or never been given the chance to know they're real parents...
Or those that are in homes where they are neglected by all.
Wait, how about this. Think about yourself.
Many of you (including myself), have lost a friend-
Maybe from sickness...or things such as an unfortunate car accident.
How do you think their parents feel this time of the year?
Think about it.
Think about your parents. Have they lost their parents?
Don't you think that their heart aches during this time?
Christmas is probably the most popular holiday that encircles the essence of the word "Family"...
And when a loved one is no longer here... hearts ache... sadness engulfs individuals...
But often times these feelings are masked by a smile. That's part of the reason this year, to many,
is the most UNwonderful time of the year.
So...let's get back to the word "Family".
We all know the song, "I'll be hommmeee for Christmasss".
But
How can one be home for Christmas...
If one has no home?
Think about the homeless.
Many of us have this negative attitude towards homeless people.
"Are they for REAL?"
"They probably make more money than I do in a day!"
"There are shelters around- why don't they just go there??"
Yes, I, too, have asked those same questions.
There is one homeless man that I pass by almost everyday coming home from school.
He's always standing there at the intersection holding his "Help me" sign.
I have a soft heart towards the homeless...and basically anyone else that is in need,
but because of the tainted view society has placed on these people... most times I ignore them.
It was until the other night I was in the car with Brian.
We got to talking about the homeless... specifically this white-bearded man at the intersection.
We were asking questions, "Why doesn't he just get help from a shelter?"..."Why doesn't he just do this?"
or, "Why doesn't he just do that?"
Then Brian said, "I wonder what his story is?"
Seriously. What's this guy's story? How did he end up like this?
Doesn't he have any family? If so, WHY the heck won't they help him out!!?
For all we know..he could have lived the toughest life EVER...and all we do is try to get into the other lane..
farthest from him... so we don't have to make eye contact.
That night..while I was in bed, the homeless man popped into my mind.
I couldn't stop thinking about him.
"What's his story?" "Where did he come from?" What's...his name?"
The following day...I was coming home from school.. not even thinking about the homeless man...
I come up to the intersection...and see him there. My heart starts racing and I dart for my school bag and fumble around for my wallet..
Light turns green.
I pass the man holding the sign. My heart is still racing.
I can't stop thinking of him.
Next day. I'm driving home after a long day of finals.. I see the homeless man again.
Now, I didn't have ANY cash on me except two dollars. I sit there while I watch the car in front hand him money.
He smiles and thanks the man in the car...hurries off the other direction and crosses the road. I have the money in my hands
and the question, "Is he REALLY homeless?.. Gosh, he's probably going to the gas station to by him some beer!" crossed my mind again.
But then some sort of urgency came over me. I just HAD to give him the money.
I knew it was God. For whatever the reason- God had a purpose for me to give the man the two dollars.
So I look out the window and he looks back and we meet eyes. I motion for him to come over.
He runs over and I hand him my crumpled money. He thanks me..
I said, "God bless"
He says, "I hope you have a Merry Christmas"
"You too, sir"
He's homeless.
How can one be home for Christmas, when one has no home...