By: Jason
My first memories were probably not unlike yours. I was a child riding in the passenger seat of my mother’s car when I saw an older man with a big beard hunched on the side of the road off the exit of the interstate on the south-side of Atlanta. I didn’t understand, of course. He had a sign on cardboard and a cup and a dejected look. Mom said he was probably a veteran from the Vietnam War. That were many like him, she said.
I was in the later days of high school when we, as a group of friends, begin to adventurously make forays into the city from our suburban enclaves. We walked through Centennial Olympic Park in the downtown area of Atlanta for two reasons, 1. It was fairly new. 2. We didn’t know where else to go besides Café Innermezzo, Little 5 Points, and the airport. There’s great people watching in the airport, and those were still in the days when you could walk to and fro throughout the entire monstrosity without anyone caring.
A man walked up to us in the park. He started to tell a story. It was a long story about coming and going and needing to get into the shelter. We stopped and engaged him in the conversation because we had heard of these things happening and we also had some ideas about how good we were as people. These kinds of talks were the kinds of things that went along with believing you were a particularly good person.
It turned out that the man could not only quote to us John 3:16, but verse 17 as well. I was impressed. Eventually, he asked us to contribute some money, and we all dutifully added some to the pot. There was the end of that conversation, but the beginning of hundreds more similar encounters, encounters and conversations and moments that you are probably very familiar with. Gateway Center is an active leader in bridging the gap of understanding in our community in relation to issues of poverty and homelessness. When we speak and answer questions, the questions often lead towards panhandling and how to respond.
The comments are usually anticipated as we are fairly aware of these feelings.
“Aren’t they just going to spend it on drugs or alcohol?”
“Why can’t they just get a job?”
“How can I trust that they’re going to use the money for something that really helps them?”
These questions, feelings, and concerns are not simply going to evaporate. So what is the right way to respond when we’re inevitably faced with these situations?
Is it right to give? Is there an alternative? Aren’t there tax dollars I’m paying to deal with this? Where is the help?
In part two of this series we will look at what Atlanta has done in the past via laws and initiatives, as well as what is going on in a couple of other places in the country. We’ll also take a look at some helpful reminders when it comes engaging with anyone on the street that is experiencing homelessness. Stay Tuned!
I can’t wait to hear what you have to say!
I have been homeless. In 1981 I came to Tampa , Florida with dreams of finding people like myself… LGB (T hadn’t been added yet. What I found were clubs that cost money to get in. I’d been robbed in Macon Georgia and had $10. to my name, and that was because a kind shop owner paid my friend and I to sweep the parking lot for butts. There was a lay that said I could be put in jail as a vagrant. No money, no clothes, no housing, no food and know way of knowing how I would obtain those things. So I know Homelessness and how to dumpster dive to live.
As to your article, the part that really resonated with me was:
“Aren’t they just going to spend it on drugs or alcohol?”
“Why can’t they just get a job?”
“How can I trust that they’re going to use the money for something that really helps them?”
These questions, feelings, and concerns are not simply going to evaporate. So what is the right way to respond when we’re inevitably faced with these situations?
I wondered what the responses would be from the mainline Christian? This is where I believe Grace plays a big part. What if God were to ask us those same type of questions?
How are you using the abilities I’ve given you? Are you squandering your talents? Why not just follow the flow, don’t make waves, do as your told? I meant for you to be a leader in your religious group and here you are Just a Praise and Worship Pastor, whats up with that? Can I trust that you will follow all the rules of the Old Testament, Know my mind to the degree that you will always do what I want you to do.
The Great Divine takes into account the fact that you were born into the family it placed you in. Realizes no one can follow all the rules or know exactly the mind and heart of God. That is why he sent Jesus.
You do not know their stories. A gift is a gift without strings. How they spend that $10. you gave them is no longer your business.
Answerer with Grace… and let God/The Great Divine take care of the rest. Follow The greatest commandments. the Lord with all your heart, soul and mind and Love your neighbor as yourself. What you you need if you were in their shoes.
Great article.
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