In a city which has a huge number of homeless population, it is inevitable to cross path with a few every day. Most of the times, we end up blaming the system for not getting rid of this “mess,” and a few times might take that odd coin out of the pocket and toss it to them. What we forget to do is to stop and actually acknowledge the person for what he or she is – a fellow human-being. Earlier in Lent, Pope Francis told us we should give money to the homeless without worrying about how they spend it. He told us that it is not our place to judge or make that an excuse to ignore the plight of the downtrodden. It is important to share our blessings and more so, to do it with love and respect.
The article by Shemaiah Gonzalez gives a beautiful account of her own personal struggle with homelessness and how her life experiences shaped her view about the homeless. Her story is an inspiration to do good in the world, in the little ways possible. It is heartening to see that she has inculcated that habit into her children by making them aware the homeless people around them also deserve dignity, and that you should give them a piece of your heart and not a piece of your mind.
At Sheltering Grace Ministry, we ensure the homeless pregnant women who are in our care get the place they deserve in the society. We strive to transform their lives into productive citizens and excellent mothers. Learn more about how you can help us by being a part of our #Be1of5000 program. Don’t forget to share this with your friends and loved ones.
Why I Taught My Kids to Call Our Homeless Neighbors ‘Peace Men’
By Shemaiah Gonzalez
In typical Seattle fashion, after a few days of sunshine, the rain returned. On my drive back from Costco, the traffic ahead of me slows to a stop, the rain drumming hypnotically on the windshield. I wonder if I will be able to pull it off. I count the cars ahead and study the timing of the stoplight. I get ready just in case.
I grab one of the pre-made sandwich bags from my driver’s side seat, filled with cough drops, a power bar and a travel size pack of tissues. I seize an orange from the Costco box in the backseat and some cash from the center console. Looking up as traffic begins to move again, I see him in the center divide. The freeway overpass shields him from the rain falling vertically but not from the wind that brings it horizontally. I drive forward slowly, then stop in front of him, rolling down my window. “Peace be with you,” I say as I pass him the sandwich baggie.
Credit : americamagazine.org
Sheltering Grace Ministry, Ltd. is a 501(c)3 non-profit ministry headquartered in Marietta, GA. We resolve the initial crisis of homelessness by providing a safe place to live during pregnancy and by providing mothers with the tools they need to improve decision-making, to enhance employment options, and increase family income, to act responsibly as the head of their household, and to develop the self-reliance to progress to permanent independent living. Please join us in renewing and rebuilding the lives of these brave women – #Be1of5000.
