She stood out by the Walmart gas station with her handwritten sign asking for handouts. I don’t remember what the sign said, but I do know she has been at this same corner for several weeks now. The first time that I saw her I gave her an orientation card in how to get food, shelter and guidance counseling. She smiled and put the card in her pocket but obviously dismissing the real help that she needed. Imagine if Peter and John came upon the man at the Beautiful Gate and when they saw him, they handed him a pair of glasses? What if they called on God to heal his deafness or blindness? That would be ludicrous. When we see the panhandler standing there do we choose to pay that person to stand there? Why?
Over twenty years ago I was volunteering at a local rescue shelter. I would go eat breakfast with the guys and then lead a Bible study with those interested. One morning a fight broke out. Why the details were a little murky, it was obvious that they were fighting over who was going to “work” a certain profitable corner. I don’t know what happened to those two guys. At the time I was complete repulsed by the men fighting over a prime begging location. That was the last time that I volunteered at that shelter. For many years I was disgusted by those that are experiencing homelessness.
Many years later God was changing my heart. I was now working evenings and nights at a shelter and getting to know the stories of the ladies and kids staying there. One evening after dinner it was brought to my attention that there was a new little family. A mom with three smallish kids had checked in that afternoon but I had not seen them at dinner. Later close to curfew they came through the gate. They were all really dirty and looked tired. After helping them get in I showed them were the bathrooms were assuming that they would want to get all cleaned up. I also offered to take them to our clothing room so they could get some fresh clothing. Normally this was met with great happiness. However, this woman told me with a bit of a snarl, that they would not be bathing and didn’t need any clothing. When seeing my confused look she informed me that dirty clothing and dirty kids bring in more when panhandling than clean, well dressed people.
I learned that we (THE COMMUNITY) were paying this family to refuse clean clothing and hygiene. How foolish! That, my friends, is not love. That is giving glasses to the lame man. If we are to win this war on poverty we need to discover the real needs and lift up our street friends. Panhandling was the only hope this woman saw. She did not stay long. But if given more time we can show her a better life. A life of virtue and character. A life of purpose.
