December 26th
Vance G. Larson CHt
Consultant, Coach & Advisor- A healthier version of you is waiting.
The wife and I were on vacation yesterday. It was our last night. We decided on picking up a pizza, and then heading back to our hotel to watch a movie in bed. One of our favorite things to do. {I know. We're such an exciting couple.} When we were entering the pizzeria, a homeless girl walked up to us and asked us to buy her a piece of pizza. She was young, and clearly an addict. I told her I would catch her on the way out. We were standing in line for a few minutes, she came in and asked again. I grabbed a couple of dollars from my pocket and gave it to her. She walked up to the counter, placed her order, got her pizza and left. That got me thinking....
I have spent my entire life in service. And most of my 35 years of service, I have worked with the homeless in one form or another. Last night was a cold night. I was wondering how many people she had to ask before I gave her money for food? Then I started thinking, had it been December 25th {Christmas Day}, she probably wouldn't have to ask many. You see, many people are in the giving spirit during that time of year. But here's the thing. Homeless people are hungry every day. Not just on Christmas.
I have worked with countless shelters, ministries and non-profits over the decades. And during the holidays, people open there hearts. It's a beautiful time. But the pain and struggle go on. And what's worse, many want to give with conditions. Or, I often hear being homeless is a choice. Enter COVID-19. Game changer. People are becoming homeless at a rate that we have never seen before. As the courts open up, people are being evicted, jobs are hard to find, and many will may never recover from the debt that they have incurred. Very few now, are exempt from the risk of being homeless.
If you are one of the those who are blessed to have a roof over your head, food to eat and a job to go to, maybe think of extending a hand before the holidays. No good deed is too small. Donating clothes, volunteering a few hours, cutting a check, or simply have shelter information on you to give out, should you come in contact with someone in need, all helps. As I could think of a thousand good reasons from a religious standpoint to say why you should, I'll go the other way. Do it because it simply is the right thing. And the homeless are hungry on December 26th too.