Excuses...Excuses..

thanks for the satire Banksy...Keep your coins, I want change.
I told a girl I met out here that I am from Indiana and she told me that I must be experiencing culture shock. Then she quickly corrected herself and said that that doesn't happen unless you're in another country. I quickly corrected her and said that she was right the first time. I'm still in the same country, but the west coast is a completely different ball game than the quaint, corn-field covered mid-west. I'm not just talking about landscape. The San Gabriel's pretty much smack you in the face when you walk out the door, but so does diversity and homelessness.

There is most definitely homelessness in Indiana, but the suburbia of Southwest Allen is about as far removed from it as can be. And more than ever I have begun to resent my life of comfort. I come to California and as we are driving, my brother can name some of the homeless people and tell me a bit of their stories....What?! I don't even think I have ever seen a homeless person near my home, and if I have, I've sadly been too absorbed in myself to have noticed him or her.

But it really is not safe for girls to do anything for homeless people...right? Well that's the misconception I have been under for a long time. And I do not think I am the only person to use this as an excuse to do nothing. Now in some cases it probably isn't safe, but honestly, that can't become our excuse to abstain from doing things..because we will end up making that excuse all of the time.

The bystander effect is no longer a valid excuse. That person you think will do something for the homeless may expect you to do something. The truth is, God wants us ALL to do something. There are multiple places in the Bible that call us to action to do something for the homeless and destitute. "She opens her arm to the poor and extends her hands to the needs" (Proverbs 31:20) That's how Proverbs 31 describes a woman of noble character. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress..." (James 1:27)

Sounds like this is a pretty big issue that should matter to ALL Believers. I don't know what this will look like for you. My brother keeps energy bars in his car for people he meets at stop lights. If he has the chance he asks for their name...tries to give them some dignity rather than just chucking food in their direction. Or how about taking a person in need out to lunch...buying them groceries...talk to them and make them feel like a human.

This is as much of a challenge for you as it is for me. I have been awful at this but there is always time for change....Love to you all. Live intentionally. Brucie.