His tear broke my heart

I try really hard to avoid stepping into any ongoing, in-progress, encounter between a CitySquare staff member and a neighbor. 

Occasionally, I fail.  At times I fail miserably by injecting myself where I shouldn't.

Yesterday, I ended up in the between position completely unintentionally. As I approached my JEEP to leave the Opportunity Center with a partner from Paris, Texas, I found myself in the middle of a dispute.  One of our most competent team members had dealt with a gentleman who brings with him a reputation for anger and temper flairs. 

By the time I got into the mix and realized where I stood, the man seemed calm.  He even told me he understood our basic inability to solve every problem or to respond to every request. 

We have limits.

"I understand what they are saying," he told me.  "I just need to wash my clothes."

What happened next felt like a blow to the head.

As we talked, he repeated, "I just need soap to wash my clothes."

As he spoke, a over-sized tear rolled down his cheek.  Both of us were silenced by that tear. 

We found detergent, but I'll never forget this man's tear, one more reminder of how fundamental my lack of understanding remains after all these years.

"Hey man, got any spare change?"

People ask me all the time: 

“What should I do when approached by a homeless person for a handout?”

 

And, of course, I have no idea!

 

Oh, I have ideas, but no standard idea or answer.  Everyone is unique, including people without a place to call home.

 

So, I follow "my gut" most of the time with no predetermined, stereotypical response, just like I repsond to others who do have homes in which to live. I realize this deficency on my part drives lots of people crazy, especially professionals!  But, so be it. 

 

One thing I do know from lots of experience: I find it hard to walk on without at least “knowing"  or acknowledging a person who asks me for a little help. 

For me, my entire duty as a person is to come to know God, and in the process, come to know the people I encounter for meaningful engagement with both. 

Every encounter should be considered worth a response of kindness. 

Every person is worthy of my repsect, even if I decide not to honor their requests by providing exactly what they seek. 

What I  always can do is respond with gentleness, attentiveness, openness and respect.   

 

 

 

 

In the battle. . .

This clip from Henry V could be applied to our battle against the forces, the seemingly unrelenting forces of poverty, despair and oppression.

Still, the speech by Henry calling his band of brothers to fight, against all odds the battle they were called to fight, fits well with our own struggle in the city.

As Matt Lair, board member with Urban Connection--San Antonio, who sent this to me said, "We few.  We happy few!"

Last week, I received notice that a comment had been left on my YouTube site that responded to a video clip of the CitySquare Food Pantry that I posted over two years ago.

Here's what the comment said:

1960frederick 2 days ago

I was homeless in dallas for 20yrs an thanks too city square, they
helped me with a furnished apartment rent free. I was addicted
to drugs an alcohol and with the help of case workers an appa
 Im drug an alcohol free...............

·

 Feedback like this keeps us working hard!

Respect among friends

Here's a video shoot of the giant meal we enjoyed last week just down the street from "the Porch."

The idea originated during a conversation I was having with a homeless friend.  

"You know what?" he declared as we spoke.

"No, what?" I replied.

"We need to throw a big-ole party out here for everyone!"

So, we did!

The event included about 300 homeless neighbors, construction workers from across the street, local business owners, students from Abilene Christian University, CitySquare team members, folks from bcWorkshop and passersby!  In all, thanks to Edd Eason and his amazing, gigantic smoker on a trailer,  we provided a great lunch for about 400 folks.

But the event wasn't about feeding.  It was all about enjoying real friendship.  It was a luncheon thrown in honor of RESPECT.

Simple as that.

Street Sweeper

Street Sweeper

Up and out, way before sun up,
I prepare my "cart"--pushed along first by a middle-class mother or better,
Her child seated securely when these wheels never wobbled,
But rolled into the day with confidence, security--a baby buggy
Customized for hauling cans, glass or plastic bottles, other discards of my, yes my
Society defined by wealth and throw away treasures, like those I find to call mine.

People turn their faces away from me as our paths cross,
Wish they knew how safe and helpful I intend,
Picking up what most call trash,
My trade, my craft is all about clean streets, about
Picking up cans with a view to meals, maybe a bed,
No harm, no trouble, just trying to be free and cared for by only me.

I sweep the streets of my hometown, all around near Downtown,
I just wish they could see me for what I aim to be.
Sweeping the streets, gutters, walkways, I seek a place
Where I can do my thing, ply my trade, breathe the same
Fresh air, maybe smile and wave, not to be seen, but
Just known, understood and valued like the work I do for us.

Self-respect, Community-respect

Cornell West is a hero.

Everything he writes is worth reading and considering.

On January 16 this year, West spoke during the Martin Luther King Convocation at Tulane University, where I spent a few years studying American History a long time ago. Wish I could have been there for many reasons.

Here's a short sample of what he said that evening:

"Your self-worth is all about self-respect and self-confidence. About self-regard. About straightening your back. Walking. Taking action with courage and compassion, with malice toward none but with righteous indignation against injustice and unfairness."

West just speaks truth.