Can You Picture This?

You can't, can you? Not unless you've been homeless before. You probably have most of these things and more. What would your life be without them? Let's break it down so that you can see more clearly, shall we?

When you have no housing, where do you live?

Local shelter
A good samaritan takes you in
A boyfriend, significant other, friends, or relatives
Strangers who want to take advantage of you
Do you need to go to the doctor? Not possible unless you can beg a ride, and get someone to dole out the co-pay. Even at clinics where it is based on your income or lack thereof, there is still a $20.00 fee at these places. If you need medicine, you're out of luck unless they give you free samples.

Got problems with your teeth? Even harder to find a dentist with no money and no insurance. Think about how much you suffered last time a tooth bothered you.

How many people have cell phones, smartphones, or PDA's? What if you don't? You have no money, and wouldn't be able to keep service for long if you did. You have no means of contacting anyone for any reason.

What about food? Everyone has to eat. Right? Well, unless you are on food stamps or can get to a local pantry, or someone buys you groceries or provides a meal, you are most likely doing without. Eating out at a restaurant would be a luxury for this person.

Transportation is a major concern. It is non-existent. You have to beg rides from anyone that you can. Whether it is a person at church, a friend, a stranger, or you hitch-hike.

More than likely you have taken a vacation in the last few years. That is not even a dream for someone who is doing without so many basic needs.

Something you do at least once a month would be shopping. Imagine not being able to buy much-needed clothes, shoes, and toiletries. Basic staples, right? Try doing without them sometime. Not for just a week, but for years! Clothes and shoes do wear out. Especially when you wear them day after day with nothing else to change into.

Have I got your attention now? You don't have to be homeless to experience these things. You could just be in a rut, going through a divorce, bankruptcy, coming off an addiction, or maybe you don't have any family or friends to assist or offer help. Maybe they're just not willing.

With the end of the year coming upon us so quickly, it is easy to get caught up in old habits and traditions, planning for holidays and vacations, parties and festivities. Please stop, slow down, get out of your comfort zone and take a look around you. Glance at the people near you, whether they are co-workers, associates, friends, strangers in the shopping line, patients at your doctor's office, someone on the street, etc.

Are they smiling? Do they look like they need a friend? Are they having trouble paying for their food? Is their sadness or worry in their eyes as they smile back at you? Are they waiting for a ride?

Please take a few minutes from your hour. Talk with them, help them, give some encouragement, get to know them, let them borrow your phone, take them out to eat, offer to provide some clothes and shoes from your closet, church, thrift stores, etc.

We all have weeks, months, years, and the rest of our lives to do whatever we want. For some, it is all they can do to make it through another day with what they have or don't have.

A place to call home, money, food, and resources = PRICELESS!