Monday, April 4, 2011
A Short Note from a Donor
We receive lots of mail from people who have never been homeless themselves, but whose lives have been turned upside down because someone they love has fallen into homelessness.
One such letter stopped me in my tracks. The women sent a gift with a one-phrase note that said, “my son is out there.” I heard desperation in those words.
Imagine this scenario with me. You are a mom with a son whom you love deeply. He grows into young adulthood and you watch him struggle – perhaps with mental illness or addiction. You try to help him, but he just slips away and eventually he cuts off all contact with you. You don’t know where he is or if he is safe. You pray. And you hope that somehow, someone will show him kindness.
That’s probably when this mom wrote this note. She prayed for her son who just might be at Wheeler Mission that night. She sent a gift because she deeply loves someone who is homeless and it was her way of reaching out to him.
Next time you see a homeless person, remember - they are someone’s son or daughter. I encourage you to say a prayer for them, for those who love them, and maybe, you could even pray for this mom.
Rick
One such letter stopped me in my tracks. The women sent a gift with a one-phrase note that said, “my son is out there.” I heard desperation in those words.
Imagine this scenario with me. You are a mom with a son whom you love deeply. He grows into young adulthood and you watch him struggle – perhaps with mental illness or addiction. You try to help him, but he just slips away and eventually he cuts off all contact with you. You don’t know where he is or if he is safe. You pray. And you hope that somehow, someone will show him kindness.
That’s probably when this mom wrote this note. She prayed for her son who just might be at Wheeler Mission that night. She sent a gift because she deeply loves someone who is homeless and it was her way of reaching out to him.
Next time you see a homeless person, remember - they are someone’s son or daughter. I encourage you to say a prayer for them, for those who love them, and maybe, you could even pray for this mom.
Rick
