Just another day in paradise

She calls out to the man in the street:
‘Sir, can you help me?
It’s cold and I’ve nowhere to sleep,
Is there somewhere you can turn me?’
He walks off, doesn't look back
He pretends he can’t hear her,
He starts to whistle as he crosses the street
Seems embarrassed to be there

I often wonder how many of us can identify with this? How many times our preconceived notions about the homeless get in the way of seeing the person? Let us turn away embarrassed? I mean, the economy is up, joblessness down, we pay our taxes for welfare, tithe to the church, what more can be expected?

Twice this summer Jennifer and I accompanied church youth on short term mission trips to downtown Atlanta; youth willing to challenge their beliefs and willing to serve. The first trip was to Safehouse Ministries with the senior highs and the second to Crossroads with the middle schoolers.

We worked, played, had fellowship and served. Played with love- and attention hungry toddlers in a kindergarten/crèche for kids whose parents are homeless. We worked hard in the brutal heat at a Safehouse property, enabling the Safehouse staff to focus their attention elsewhere and in the process got a small taste of living outside the air-conditioned unreality of suburban life. Served hot meals to people both at Safehouse and Crossroads. Throughout this all we had fellowship, through devotional time together in the evenings and doing our allocated tasks with fun and laughter.

And we learnt. Learnt that not all the homeless are lazy bums, drug addicts, prostitutes and all other forms of losers and low-lifes.. Do the math: Single parent, earning maybe $8 an hour, have to feed and clothe two kids, pay utilities and rent, daycare and traveling. Do-able, but not much left to built some savings for a rainy day. We also learnt that Atlanta is the abortion capital of the nation and saw that the reality of some parts of town is quite unreal.

Oh, think twice,
It’s just another day for you and me in paradise,
Oh, think twice,
It’s just another day for you and me in paradise,
(Just think about it)
Oh Lord, is there anything more anybody can do?
Oh Lord, there must be something that you can say?

Yes, of course there is. God does SAY and does DO something. We are the words and we are deeds for people in need. Yes, we will be and indeed are conned into also helping those who don’t really want nor need a helping hand. Does it matter?

How many times must I show kindness to my brother and give a helping hand? Up to seven times? the churchgoer asked of Jesus.
Jesus answered: No, I tell you 7X70, for I have given you a new command. Love one another and the world shall see you belong to me and shall believe. (With apologies to Matthew (18:21-27) and John (13:34-35)).

You can tell by the lines on her face,
You can see that she’s been there.
Probably been moved down from every place,
‘cause she didn’t fit in there.

Oh, think twice, it’s just another day for you and me in paradise…(Phil Collins)