I, myself, at a very young age was sent into the fray of homelessness in the suburbs. I was so young, I didn’t realize, it was actually easier in the city, where there were other homeless people to talk to.

My friend, this problem is about to get worse, in light of our shattering economy. And, yes, we are all called to serve the lost and suffering. Whatever you do, my brother, don’t you ever lose the compassion that has welled up within you. It is the stuff that will move you to Godly action, advocating and interceding for those too jaded and broken to break free by themselves. You will encounter those who feel that people don’t deserve your help. Ignore them.

God calls us to help others, not judge who deserves our help or not.

Thanks for a great post.

T. Michael Cart

What kind of bugs me is that so much of our “theology”…especially our definition of “church”…has been altered in the past generations to reflect that suburban mindset and need for comfort.

I think a big struggle we will face in living life with our outdoor friends and trying to allow an expression of the Church to emerge, is the suburban mindset that I commute in to the city every now and again to serve those less fortunate then I. Not that every church in the ‘burbs sees the non-housed as projects to be tackled, but many do.

It’s hard to speak of how the homeless have changed us with out getting strange looks based on the perceptions of those whom seldom, if ever, see…much less interact…with those without “permanent” shelter.

Thanks for sharing.