Homeless

Today I was waiting outside the tube station early in the morning before it opened and a woman came up to me

She said that she was not homeless and that her mate had beat her up and all she needed was a ticket to go home

She was half crying but just kept repeating herself

She said she would give us an address and phone number if we didn't believe her and she could pay us back if that's what we wanted

All I had was a 2 pence in my pocket. I told her that but she didn't want it.

She eventually left us but she has been on my mind all day

I pray that if her story really was true that she would get help but then I found my self rationalizing every thing.

Why didn't she call the police? Why doesn't she ask to use a phone to call someone? Why wouldn't she take my 2 pence? Why did she keep repeating herself? Why did she start out by saying she was not homeless? How did she get the scare on her nose? Why is she on the street if she is homeless? Are there any homeless shelters in London? Why not ask for food?

The thing is no one believed her.

What if we were to take her on her offer and phone the person she claimed as her proof? Is it because we didn't want to seem like we didn't believe her (all though we didn't) but we just didn't want to out right call her a liar?

What if something like that were to happen to me like that? Maybe I would show some ID, tell them my name, tell them where I am from, my story. But before any of that I would like to think I would go to the police. Before that, go to a friend, go to a church and ask for help.

What's her story? I want to know. Who is she? How did she get there?

Beggars have always been something that I never really know what to do about them.

What about the little kids that come up to you? They are so sad looking. They haven't showered for a long time, they wear the same clothes every day. Where are their parents? Where are their fathers?

Some tell me that their fathers are at home not doing anything while the women and children are on the streets.

It would bother me though when you would give them food and then they keep asking for money. If you gave them money they would ask for more. And they would by pass the locals and come straight for the foreigners. If you are really in need won't you ask any body you can for help?

Then in America, well what about them?

One of my friends from college has a real heart for the homeless and she works with them day in and day out. Maybe I should talk to her about this subject as it deals with America.

They all aren't "bums". Some people have just had a rough time and really need help.

What do we do?

How do we respond?

As a follower of Jesus I long to follow Him in His example.

What did He do? He touched the untouchable, He loved those who every one hated, He ate with the lowest of the lows. He loved.

I am learning more and more that this is the bottom line: love

this is what life is about: to love God and love others

love