This weekend I had the awesome opportunity to participate in the work of an organization called “Home Sweet Homeless.†Basically what this means is: I spent my Saturday engrossed in conversation with individuals either on the brink of, or currently homeless in Orlando. Typically every second Saturday of the month, around 175 homeless and the same number of volunteers gather together to share a meal. The idea is to end poverty through empowering the homeless. One step among many, the potlucks serve to bridge the gap between the community and the homeless, to bring people together from all walks of life. As with many social justice events, these potlucks just as profoundly affect the volunteers as the homeless.
I, like many twenty, thirty-somethings, have no particular passion for any one social justice issue. Neither the homeless nor the battered, nor any other group of broken individuals particularly make me want to get involved in their cause. At this point in my life I don’t have a lot of direction when it comes to which cause to dedicate my time to. By no means am I saying I don’t care about people, because I do care about each of these issues, it is just that no one cause stands out to me like it does to some individuals. I’m sure I’ll get some gnarly posts from you who do know which cause it is that enrages you. I hope you hear my heart.
I don’t believe that caring for the underprivileged has to be this passionate, emotional journey. I believe it is a responsibility. A lack of extreme passion for any one cause is a poor excuse to remain stagnate, uninvolved in helping your fellow man. We should be volunteering our time and resources where we see needs we are able to meet. For those who call themselves Christians, this is a fundamental aspect of following Jesus- the greatest example of making oneself the least, of putting others before oneself. It is not always an emotional, exciting venture. It is a sacrifice one doesn’t necessarily “feel†like undertaking.
I continually pray that a particular cause will enrage me, make me stand up and scream. Honestly, I just think it would be easier that way. Until then I will continue to spend time meeting the needs of people where I can, whatever the cause might be.
Their new site will be up soon, so keep checking back, but for more information on Home Sweet Homeless: www.hshomeless.com
