You're driving down the interstate and you take the off-ramp. As you come to a stop at the red light, you see a disheveled and ragged man carrying a beat-up backpack. He holds a sign made of cardboard with the message "Homeless and Hungry" scrawled across it. You think to yourself, "He probably just wants people to give him money so he can go buy more alcohol to feed his addiction." Or you might think, "This person might be a serial killer! No way am I going to roll my window down and offer him anything." You quickly lock your doors and try not to make eye contact as you continue on your hurried way.
Sound pretty accurate? I'm sure we've all had thoughts and actions similar to these at one point or another. And in some instances, we could be right! However, this is often the case:
That man or woman on the side of the road ... they may have been laid off from their job with no money to be able to keep up the rent. They could have no education and a speech impediment that causes it to be difficult for them to find a decent job. That man or woman is someone's son or daughter. They could be someone's brother or sister. Or parent. Or grandparent. Or maybe they're a veteran.
But the fact is, no matter what led that person to be without a place to call home and living on the side of the road, they need to be shown the love of Jesus Christ. How would you feel if you were the one in their shoes? Alone? Unloved? Worthless? Hopeless?
So what can we do? Since it's not always a good idea to give out money in case he or she really is struggling with addiction, here's something simple that you can do to make a difference.
Make Blessing Bags! These bags are great to keep on hand in your car for those times when you do encounter a homeless man or woman in your travels. Fill them with non-perishable food items that are good for eating on the go, hygiene items, a New Testament, etc. Show them that they're cared about. Let them feel God's love through your thoughtfulness. Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV):
Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me." Then the righteous will answer him, saying, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?" And the King will answer them, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."You may ask, "What should I include in my bags?" Two sites I found to have great ideas are All Things With Purpose and Portland Rescue Mission. Here's what I included in my bags (I got everything I needed at Aldi and The Dollar Tree):
- Bottle of water
Our Blessing Bags - Peanut butter crackers
- Beef sticks
- Protein bar
- Fruit strips
- Peppermints
- Toothbrush/toothpaste set
- Bar of soap
- Washcloth
- Deodorant
- Band-aids
- Chapstick
- Shaving razor
- Comb
- Socks
- Rain poncho
- Travel pack of Kleenex
- Pen
- Small notepad
- Gospel of John
- Gospel tract
