When Anna and I had dinner with Sam we talked about everything from Sci-fi books, the weather and movies to reasons people become homeless, reasons they stay homeless and the difficulties of living life on the street.
It seems like they're first assumption of me was that I was hanging out with them to appease my conscience. After introducing them to my boss at Health Day as "my friend", Sam asked me why I hang out with them. A lot of people come and go through the park, but few stay or come long enough to build friendships; these kind of friendships that lead to conversations. I told him the same thing I've told everyone that asked me that same question. I have experienced the love and forgiveness that comes from being in a relationship with Jesus Christ. When I read about Jesus' life on earth, I read about him hanging out with the "least of these" in his day who were the tax collectors and the prostitutes. I see him eating dinner with them and spending time with them. That's what I'm doing. His response- "Yeah, in this day and age 'the least of these' are homeless people but we're people too." That short reply cut at the core of my heart. OF COURSE they are people! With real needs, real concerns and feelings! I told Sam that where you live does not define who you are. I know many people in the Suburbs, trying to keep up with the Jones' that haven't learned this lesson. I asked Sam if he'd consider himself religious, "Sort of", he said. "Why 'sort of'"? He went on to explain that he'd call himself a Christian, but not a zealous one, the example he has of Christians are those "turn and burn" preachers on the street corner. I reminded him that following Jesus' example is what motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and initiate a relationship with the guys in the park. I went on to share a little about myself telling him I've been through hard times in my life, the only thing that brought me through is the comfort I received from the Lord. If I have something that's proven to help me survive difficulties and do not offer it to my friends when they are experiencing hard times, what kind of friend am I? His response was "I wish I could help more people like you do." Wow! Such a humble man with a heart for people. We talked about different ways we can help people that doesn't require money. Love being the main one. How can we display love without money? Forgiveness, a gentle reply to an angry person, smiling at someone who doesn't feel like they deserve it. or a listening ear. There are many ways to help someone when you have no material thing to give and "You can reach people that I can't." I told him.
