Help Where You Can
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he
will reward them for what they have done. – Proverbs 19:17
I had heard about the organization and this amazing
woman who gave of herself to help others. She was the lifeline for those who
were homeless, jobless, without food or shelter. She was the wise counsel for
those wanting to help but not wanting to enable.
So I went to hear her speak, to learn the specifics of
the call God had placed on her life. It was refreshing. She didn’t ask for
money. She’d be happy to take it but it wasn’t the purpose of her talk.
She needed clothing donations, including shoes. She
told of the woman who came in barefoot and asking for help. She didn’t ask for
shoes. Honestly, when you are hungry and without a place to stay shoes lose
their importance. She left with shoes on her feet and the help she needed.
Why do people end up in such desperation? Sometimes it
is bad choices, drugs or alcohol. Sometimes it is a job loss. Other times it is
escape from abuse or an illness that takes everything we thought we had.
We are quick to judge, aren’t we? A sweet friend
commented the other day about “all those people on disability”. I reminded her
that we can’t always look at someone and determine if they should be disability
or not. Heart attacks, cancer, MS and other debilitating health issues aren’t
always evident to an outsider. She agreed.
Whatever the issues, the needs are varied and the help
should be too. Unfortunately, government programs are often tied up in rules
and regulations. This woman receives no money from the government. She doesn’t
apply for grants or other sources of funding. She relies on the generosity of
churches and individuals who see a need and help.
This lack of regulation helps her meet the actual
needs before her. Sometimes it does mean contacting government agencies. Other
times it’s providing help with a job application, or finding childcare or
housing or any number of issues. People need proper clothing for a job
interview. They need a bath. And food. It seems that people are always needing
food in this country of abundance.
She doesn’t have a large staff of volunteers. It’s just
her and, when he’s not working his “regular” job, her husband. She’s blessed –
her words – to have several churches she can call to step up and help. My
church is one of them. We are blessed to have someone who can help us determine
real need.
She’s the first to say don’t give anyone money
directly. If their electricity has been turned off, pay the utility company. If
they’re behind on their rent, pay the landlord. If they need food, give them
food. People make bad choices, sometimes because they really don’t know any
better.
Oh, yes, she also provides budgeting lessons. Because
how we handle what God gives us helps determine how we live our lives and care
for ourselves and our children.
Is she impacting the lives of thousands? Not at all.
The number she’s able to help can seem small. But she is doing what she can
where she is. She is changing lives one person at a time. Really, that’s all
God has ever asked of any of us. Help the person right in front of us and trust
Him with the rest.
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