If you spend time in any major city there is a good chance you will have an encounter with someone struggling with homelessness. In 2017 The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development presented their annual Point in Time report that showed we have over 553,000 homeless individuals in the United States. Roughly, 1 out of every 588 people are struggling with homelessness. Do those numbers surprise you? In Kansas City in 2017 our report showed almost 1,700 individuals are struggling with homelessness. This bring the age old question of “What can I do to help?”
I get asked that a lot. I always tell them the same answer. You don’t have to give them money but treat them with dignity and respect like you would a friend or coworker. If you feel led to buy them a meal do it. I never give out money but there is one thing I always offer and we can all offer; prayer. Ask them their name and if you can pray for them. Very rarely do they turn this down. It builds an instant connection between them and you. It’s a simple way to show you care.
Throughout my years of working for Enoch Magazine I’ve had the chance to interview many different bands. We always ask them if they have had any experiences with the homeless. When you spend your life on the road going from city to city you’re bound to have experience with them. Then we always follow up with the question “A lot of homeless are at the lowest point of their life but I’ve found they often claim Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What is your perception of Jesus?” It opens up a dialogue with the bands about what they believe and makes them think.
I have a place to live that’s filled with stuff I probably don’t need. I have food on the table and a job. It’s easy for me to feel comfortable every day. I’m not facing the struggles the individuals struggling with homelessness are. Every time I pray with a homeless person it reminds me that no matter who we are and what we have we all have the same opportunity to receive love and grace from our Heavenly Father. Sometimes, when things go wrong in my life I don’t always seek God first. I’ve complained, blamed others, and blamed myself when I really need to open my heart and lay it before God. I’m often encouraged by the faith the guests of Morning Glory have. It encourages and humbles me. It makes me realize that my problems are not always that big of a deal. They challenge me to seek the Lord every day and be thankful just for another day of life. I’m reminded that Jesus died on the cross for all our sins regardless of who we are or what we’ve done. He has the same love and grace for each and every one of us and no one can take that away. Our relationship with God is our own; unique and special for every individual.
Take some time this week to pray and thank God for the things you are blessed with. Thank God for another day of life and let yourself be reminded his love and grace is bigger than anything we can imagine.
“Not to share one’s wealth with the poor is to steal from them and to take away their livelihood. It is not our own goods which we hold, but theirs.” – St John Chrysostom
Morning Glory Needs
Men
Tennis or walking shoes
Jeans and cargo shorts and belts
Boxers or Briefs M, L, XL, XXL
Women’s
Bras
New underwear
Stretchy pants/ yoga pants
Emergency Assistance
Allergy medicine
cough drops
Totals April 2018
Meals served – 8,010
Guests helped with emergency assistance – 344
Volunteers – 467
Totals 2018
Meal served – 28,167
Guests helped with emergency assistance – 1,761
