This Is Home

Can you imagine living in your dream home? Let me give you a moment just to imagine…

Now, allow me to briefly burst your bubble and consider this…

There are some who simply imagine having a warm, comforting place to call home.

According to homeless.org.uk, there were 4,751 people who were homeless in 2017 - and these figures have now risen by 15% from January 2018 to March 2018… And that’s just in London! We haven’t even mentioned the whole of the UK or other countries. It’s heartbreaking to know that there are people who live on the streets each and every day of their lives, come sun or snow. Some of whom even have children with them.

Alcoholism, substance addiction, financial difficulties, home repossessions, domestic abuse are just a few of the reasons why many people find themselves with nowhere to sleep but in the streets of many towns and cities. The point is, some become homeless because they have no-one to help them through their difficulties. I recall speaking to a young lady in her early 20’s who had become homeless due to her business not being able to survive the credit crunch. She went on to say that there was no-one to help her, not even her parents. So in the end she was forced to live on the streets as she had lost everything.

The homeless are not any different from you or me. They become homeless for a number of reasons and this could actually happen to anyone of us at any point in time. Despite society’s views on the homeless and the phrase “I’d rather be homeless”, it’s highly unlikely that people choose to sleep rough.

Source: Google images

There are many organisations, projects and programs that can support those in need, but it’s not as simple as that these days. With all the financial cuts here and there and lack of funding, some of these great resources and support systems have had to shut down or make cut backs in some way which has caused a direct effect on how they can help the homeless. With the right support and advice, people can leave homelessness behind, provided there are enough homes to put them in, which is another issue on its own.

For some of us, it’s in our human nature to give a bit of loose change when we see the homeless. However, the risk in that is, they could use the money unwisely; for example to feed an addiction. Instead, you could offer to buy them food depending on the time of day, perhaps even sit with them and give them a word of encouragement. It’s our duty to show love just like Christ did. In fact, its a commandment - Matthew 22:39. Your neighbour is not restricted to the person living next door to you, but could be anyone you come in contact with.

We need to be doing more for our community, and that includes helping those living without proper shelter. We may be able to help a little financially or even physically, but I urge you to also help via another means - how about prayers? Whether you say a two minute prayer or spend ten minutes, God will hear, and answer, providing that it’s from a good place in your heart. The homeless have been branded socially excluded and have been neglected to a degree. Let us not exclude them in our prayers. We are told in Hebrews 13:2, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realising it!”

Take a moment to pray for those who are homeless...

Just like us, they are human too.