We can't help them if they're dead.

Yesterday we were talking on how to offer refuge to the hungry, hurting, and homeless through our rescue missions without enabling or fueling a sense of entitlement among those we serve. We want to help our guests with "next steps," not just the means to continue to survive day to day.

And then this morning I woke up to read today's paper; to find that one of our chronically homeless women in the neighborhood had been strangled to death just down the street. A 42 year old woman with problems. Problems that now will never be solved this side of death.

And I stopped in my tracks.

I've been thinking so hard about how we want to help people move forward, that I momentarily lost sight of the need for them to survive their situation to be able to receive help.

I am thrilled that our women's shelter here in Oxnard will always take in a woman, no matter her condition, because it's simply not safe on the streets at night. They offer a safe place and a loving touch.

And now I'm working my way back through my thoughts on how we help people on the streets. First to survive, then to come to grips with their problems and deal with them, and ultimately find release to a new life. Our hope, a new life in Jesus.

But remembering again, first they have to survive.

Is there someone in your life that just needs help surviving right now?

Someone that just needs a safe place to just be? A loving touch?

 

Comments

[wade]

Good words, Alan. I was reminded by a friend yesterday that being present with people in their pain is a great source of comfort and healing. There, of course, is a time when we say, "hey, it's time to move forward and I'll move forward with you."