The Need of Houston
How Can WE Help?
I cannot speak for anyone else, but I can ask a few questions. Does it hurt your heart to see homeless people on the street corners as you drive around the city? Do the tents underneath the overpasses make tears swell? What did you think of the families that ask for help outside of the grocery store?
Over the last few years, living in Texas as a college student, I have seen more people in need than I thought was possible. "This is TEXAS", I would think, "Surely, there has to be somewhere they could go and find help." Then, I would stop at a stoplight and witness 10 cars drive past the homeless man on the corner. I would go volunteer at a food bank and witness the droves of families and individuals that would come for food and necessities. I would watch the news and would hear about the constant situations at the border. "Surely, there has to be somewhere they could go and find help."
Recently, I realized something. I can probably stand with a large majority that believed the same thought. "Surely..." This realization appalls me because this mindset disassociates me from the very ones I have been called to help and love, The more I see those in need as "they" and not as family, or as Christ sees them, "the least of these", then the more I allow myself to be puffed up and away from loving them. My brothers sleeping on sidewalks and my sisters seeking asylum. What must be done to care for our family?
I am not overlooking the multitude of organizations and systems set in place to help our family. I am simply acknowledging the tents I still see, the hungry moaning, and the poor plundered by life. What must be done to care for our family? What can we do to help our brothers and sisters in need?
Usually, these kind of think pieces end with a call to action. So here is ours:
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’" (Matthew 25:35-40)
We must see us in them as us and love.
Be blessed and be a blessing.
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