But he was not the only one: Brothers Elmer and Joe Fix came. From the Dakotas
; they were homeless and hungry. They were housed and fed.
For What It’s Worth, Consider the Homeless by E. J. Bradshaw My first remembered encounter with the homeless was during the Great Depression. We lived in a four room house on our forty acre farm. We were living below the poverty level - most of what we ate, we had raised and were able to store. A very sick uncle and my mother’s parents lived with us. Crowded? Yes! But we had shelter, beds and homemade quilts with which to stay warm in winter and the funeral home provided fans for summer. Most of all, we had love and respect for each other and concern for others. I guess that concern for others advertised itself, because a homeless World War One veteran showed up. He ate at our table and slept in our house. He helped work the fields, cut firewood, and gather the crops. Becoming restless, he would leave for a season, and then come again. Mr. House was a welcomed friend at our home. But he was not the only one: Brothers Elmer and Joe Fix came. From the Dakotas; they were homeless and hungry. They were housed and fed. Elmer entertained us with his guitar and he and Joe joined us in working the field. Tragedy struck when Dad could give them a little money and Joe started to visit their parents. He had the little bit of money, and he met a woman who had syphilis. When he came back to our home, she had his money and he had syphilis. Having lost his mind, we watched him die a horrible death. I related these stories to show that homelessness has been around for a long time; like the prodigal son in Luke 15, some are homeless because they have made poor choices. Again, like the prodigal, many of our homeless ones could go home. Like my grandparents, some are homeless because of age and disease. Families are missing some great blessings by not providing for them. Some are homeless because of the economy and loss of jobs. May it never be said that “No one gave to them.” “I was a stranger and you took me in.” “I was hungry and you gave me food.” “When…?” Jesus said, “As often as you did it unto one…you have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:43-46. “Seeing the multitude, Jesus was moved with compassion for them.” Matthew 9:36. May we be moved with that Jesus-like compassion; and may our compassion express itself with wise, discreet, and appropriate action. Some will say, “I can’t take care of my homeless family members.” Face it; “I can’t” usually means, “I’m not willing to try.” Better be sure your excuse will fly with God; and remember, you might be old and homeless or broke and homeless. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in the right thing and way that God would have you respond to real needs.
You may contact E. J. Bradshaw at 337-238-0440; Email:
[email protected]
