Heart for the Homeless

One day while walking I saw this young lady sitting on a sidestep in front of a store. When I looked at her my first thought was, she is homeless. I didn’t want to stare at her but when I looked again, she had a backpack, and she was looking down at her smartphone. My second thought was that she worked at the store nearby and was on her lunch break. I chose not to say anything to her and continued my walk. After completing my walk and heading back to my car she was still in the same spot, so I decided to approach her.

Side note: (there is a huge homeless population in Atlanta, but it’s rare to see them on the beltline).

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I went up to her and spoke. It took a while for her to look up, I spoke again, and she looked up and spoke back to me. I asked her if she was homeless. The response I got from her was not one I expected. She asked me “if I was a Christian”? I said yes, I am, and I would like to help you. I asked her, do you need food or a hotel room? She asked me another question and said Do you believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? I was thinking to myself, “You’re homeless and I’m offering you help, and you’re worried about my salvation” Then I realized that she didn’t want to entrust her dire need to a total stranger unless she believed they weren’t going to harm her.

            Side Note: (Being a believer in Christ should mean that you have no intentions to harm anyone and that you’re looking to help others be the best that they can be in Christ).

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After the Christian dialogue, she admitted that she was homeless. In my mind I knew she was ready to get off the hot pavement, which she appeared glued to and allow me to find a shelter for her or put her up in a hotel for a few days. "Quite the Contrary"

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I left wondering, "why do she prefer to be in that deplorable situation"?

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I went and took care of errands, handled my business itinerary and later came home.

 

I went to bed, only to be awakened around midnight. I wasn't awakened by a call or a knock on my door, I was awakened by the Holy Spirit.

 

I remember looking at my phone and it was close to midnight. Immediately, my mind got on the young lady. I said, "really God!". I knew the Lord was prompting me to drive back over to the beltline. I said God, "it's near midnight"

 

Have you ever tried disobeying God when you know He's got your attention? And He knows that I know that "night and day are both alike unto Him" Psalms 139:12.

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I got up, and drove to the beltline, and there she was over by the trash dumpster; emaciated, hungry and pitiful. There was literally no one else around.

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She agreed to a shelter, and I was able to get her some help. 

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Side note: Whatever you're going through, never be too proud to ask for help, or take the help that's being offered. 

Let’s Work Together; Help me Help Them!

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