Poverty Warrior I know that you are training and engaging in this battle because you love your neighbor as yourself. You certainly have great compassion, or you would be like a vast majority of the world that ignores the poor, the hurting and the homeless. It is likely that this love is a gift from God. To many in our community the community sees the poor as a danger, and they build fortresses in their lives so that they do not have to see them. Yet you know that they are our invisible neighbors. Your desire is to lead the outcasts back into society so that we can be blessed in our community by their passions and skills.
You know oh poverty warrior that these men and women might look frightful, but they are loved by God. I remember working with a guy who went by the nickname Diesel. Now he looked like you might imagine a guy named Diesel would look. He had literally been a bouncer in a biker bar for many years of his life. When I met him, he was fleeing a domestic violence situation. Initially I was skeptical. I mean this guy is roughly the size for front loader who could be abusing him. Maybe he sensed my disbelief and told me that when he went to bed at night his ex-girlfriend would beat the snot out of him with a large scrub brush. Before coming to the homeless shelter, he had not slept in weeks. Over the next several months I got to know him and discovered that he was a gentle giant. I was privileged to attend his wedding to a sweet woman who loved and respected him deeply. I am sure that you poverty warrior know have many stories how those in poverty were actually tame and loving if given a bit of hope.
I am also certain that you have also served those who were entitled, bitter, dangerously mentally ill or living with a personality shifting addiction. Working with these men and women can be thankless and painful. When you see the pain on the faces of your friends it can wear you down. The unfortunate reality is that many who longed to be in this fight, helping the lost and hurting on our streets simply do not last very long. The emotional drain was too much. How can you survive?
First check your motives. If you got into this business in the expectation that the homeless would rejoice at your coming and would applaud your gift of a squished peanut butter and jelly sandwich you will be disappointed. They will not rejoice over your ripped up pants and worn down shoes that you gave them because you figured that beggars can’t be choosers you will be disappointed. If you expect that you will give some great words of wisdom and a meal and they will be forever changed after one night you will be disappointed. This battle will be long and hard. You must train for an endurance event. Examine your motives this week and we will be back for more on how you will overcome disappointment.
