tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post3027198153076805329..comments2024-01-27T06:41:34.292-06:00Comments on Lord, Make Me a Saint: The Homeless in Front of YouJamie Johttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17678469484585027738noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post-7900900240761105722011-06-08T20:35:18.733-05:002011-06-08T20:35:18.733-05:00I agree and feel the same way. It's not alway...I agree and feel the same way. It's not always easy to live but it's the right way to keep trying to live. This is a beautiful reflection. BTW, thanks for the movie recommendation "I am Number Four." It was funny because I almost shut it off in beginning with all the creepy stuff but so glad we waited. It ended up being a great movie and we really enjoyed it!Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07679337171422593785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post-79667430657510372202011-06-06T11:27:18.317-05:002011-06-06T11:27:18.317-05:00Oh - I forgot to mention that I DO wash all those ...Oh - I forgot to mention that I DO wash all those Thrift Store clothings first! LOL!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post-59440620592069774362011-06-06T11:26:34.283-05:002011-06-06T11:26:34.283-05:00Each Christmas my family and I purchase large back...Each Christmas my family and I purchase large backpacks - last year it was 10 of them, the next year it will be 11, and so on. Well, we then go to the thrift stores and purchase good, quality woolen sweaters - large ones - sweat pants, flannel shirts, caps, gloves, socks, towels, soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, deoderant, toothpaste, maybe a couple of foodbars, and a wallet with $10 in it. Oh - we also include a bible and a rosary. We put a big, red bow on the outside and on Christmas Eve we go to downtown Toronto and my husband drives slowly around while my son and I look for the homeless we can help. When we find one, my husband puts on his flashers, they stay in the car and I quickly run up to them, hand them the backpack and say, "Merry Christmas! God loves you!" and run back to the car. <br /><br />Sure, they might use the money for drugs, cigarrettes, or booze, but that's not in our control. What IS in our control is how we show them the love of Christ.<br /><br />And teaching our son how to do the same.<br /><br />Whenever we are downtown we see homeless. My son always points them out to us, asks for a dollar and wants to give it to them. And we oblige.<br /><br />If they're within our sights, it is our responsibility. <br /><br />I will never forget my late husband, who, when he was in the early stages of MS, and was afflicted primarily (at that time) with great fatigue issues - he and I would use a handicapped parking spot (we had a placard) and when he got out of the car and walked into the stores - several people had at times yelled, "Hey! You don't look handicapped to me!!!" Which was true - he didn't. But he was. <br /><br />We have to trust God in all things! Prayers for the poor souls in Purgatory for instance - even if the soul is already in Heaven, the prayer is not wasted. Neither is the coin we toss in the homeless' hats.<br /><br />God bless your sweet heart, Jamie Jo!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post-66030765189439890512011-06-04T08:49:39.243-05:002011-06-04T08:49:39.243-05:00Jamie, your husband sounds exactly like my husband...Jamie, your husband sounds exactly like my husband! These two men would get along! <br />But I am with you. I have always felt the very same way. My husband also says that if they really need help, they know where to go. That they just want to use the money for drugs and alcohol. <br />But we don't know their situation. Perhaps, for some reason, they couldn't be helped. Maybe pride and shame stand in their way. Maybe in the meantime, they need to believe that there are people that still care. <br />Once I overheard a lady giving a homeless guy some money at church:<br />"Now you aren't going to use this for drugs, are you?" How tacky! And how humiliating for that man!<br />The poors dignity as people have been reduced in so many peoples eyes.I can't imagine Mother Theresa ever walking by anyone, just because she was afraid, turned off by the way they looked or judgmental. <br /><br />One short story: in college I took a TV technical class and we shot a "story" about the homeless so we went to a homeless shelter. <br /><br />I saw all those people lined up at the shelter (and it was winter and very cold)and only half of them got in. A guy came out and shouted, "Ok, that's it! The rest of you find somewhere else to go!" One young guy in his 20's started to argue, some just looked dejected. I felt a strange sort of guilt sitting in my warm car, watching all this while they walked away in the cold. <br /><br />I hope you don't mind if I also write about this on my blog. I'm going to put a reference of this post that you wrote because it's something I feel very strongly about!Beckyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10451590537173713861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post-22099468820692401892011-06-03T22:22:44.974-05:002011-06-03T22:22:44.974-05:00you and your family are a beautiful witness.
&quo...you and your family are a beautiful witness.<br /><br />"... And joy is the appropriate attitude with which to help others because acts of generosity are a source of blessing to the giver as well as the receiver." ~ St. John ChrysostomLenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14778371989564675262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post-41129463959812750902011-06-03T20:09:17.394-05:002011-06-03T20:09:17.394-05:00We had a big problem with all the homeless in Fred...We had a big problem with all the homeless in Fredericksburg until they recently made stricter laws about what they call aggressive pan handling. They never demanded money, but you would see them everywhere, all the time. There is a very busy intersection about 50 yards from our house and their always used to be homeless men there. It's scary when they are so close to your home and you just never know how mentally unstable they are or aggressive etc. Eric sees so many aggressive ones in D.C. that he doesn't even want me walking around there without him.<br /><br />Because of the possible dangers, we are very careful when we give money or food to the ones down the street so that they don't see where we live. I would love to walk down the street and hand them food or talk with them, but it's just too dangerous. Especially that I am a female and I would have kids with me. <br /><br />Anyway, I used to give many of the homeless people money, but now I just pray for them. I donate elsewhere but I know there are huge amounts of support for them here in Fredericksburg. <br /><br />Your right that it is important to treat them like Jesus. But also remember that they could very well be insane and dangerous too.Sarah Harkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02064673794877417232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post-58103699685271144322011-06-03T18:37:32.402-05:002011-06-03T18:37:32.402-05:00Well Jamie Jo there is no question that if you and...Well Jamie Jo there is no question that if you and your kiddos stopped for anyone they would be blessed with the beautiful smiles that I think are so special. We have a lot of them in Rocky Mount but not so many in our immediate area. I will try to be more observant and compassionate. God bless you.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00920831144240024660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post-50680856225606502322011-06-03T18:02:28.569-05:002011-06-03T18:02:28.569-05:00I am probably more like your husband and would not...I am probably more like your husband and would not give money. I am hardened I guess. Thinking they will just use it for the worse and not to better themselves.<br /><br />I love the quotes you used.Christinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03030030108671604522noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7056332983367489033.post-36813321936099217832011-06-03T17:43:12.334-05:002011-06-03T17:43:12.334-05:00Amen and amen again Jamie!
Thanks for sharing and...Amen and amen again Jamie!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing and God Bless you for writing to encourage others to see Christ in everyone.<br /><br />~Peace,<br /><br />LuAnneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com