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I was in treatment for substance abuse when I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder and started taking anti-depressives. Then I got curious and followed up by going back to school. One of the unseen victims of covid are the folks in missions and shelters getting locked out. The LA river bed is now a row of tents as far as the eye can see.
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I have found by experience that depression is a vicious burden. Thanks be to our Father, I believe it was to let me know that when a person snuffers depression, it is a real, and never imagined, problem, and it hurts deeply.
Now whenever I find myself just beginninng to worry, I clasp my hands together and stay that way talking to the Lord until it passes. By talking I mean mainly praising Him. It is better than any medicine.
Now whenever I find myself just beginninng to worry, I clasp my hands together and stay that way talking to the Lord until it passes. By talking I mean mainly praising Him. It is better than any medicine.
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A fella came and knocked on our door one time when my daughter was home from high school and asked if we had any left overs. Melisa said I can make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and the fella said you don't have anything better than that? She said well I guess you aren't that hungry and closed the door.
Another time the person that was hungry in a park was happy to get that peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I went home and brought the jars and bread back to.
Sometimes we offer what we have and they may not think it's good enough but to another it's a feast.
Another time the person that was hungry in a park was happy to get that peanut butter and jelly sandwich that I went home and brought the jars and bread back to.
Sometimes we offer what we have and they may not think it's good enough but to another it's a feast.
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Once I had a ziplock baggie full of change. I was going to take it to the bank and deposit it. Was probably around 5 bucks. Homeless guy stops me and asks if I have any money to spare. I told him I don't normally carry cash but I happened to have a bag of change, if he wanted it. He sneered at me and refused it. I figured he must not be that bad off.
Another time my daughter and I took several bags of food to a couple of guys with signs. Stuck a few bucks in a tract and shoved it in with the food. The guys took it, looked inside the bags, rolled their eyes, and tossed the bags at their feet. I just shrugged. Guess they weren't really hungry. Never did find out if they found the cash I'd hidden in the bags.
But then, I've had times where I've bought gas for someone or my kids have given someone a burger or groceries, etc. etc. and the person has been truly grateful.
I've learned that if Yahweh is leading, do what He says. The person might not really be homeless but that doesn't mean He can't use our gift to work in their lives.
Another time my daughter and I took several bags of food to a couple of guys with signs. Stuck a few bucks in a tract and shoved it in with the food. The guys took it, looked inside the bags, rolled their eyes, and tossed the bags at their feet. I just shrugged. Guess they weren't really hungry. Never did find out if they found the cash I'd hidden in the bags.
But then, I've had times where I've bought gas for someone or my kids have given someone a burger or groceries, etc. etc. and the person has been truly grateful.
I've learned that if Yahweh is leading, do what He says. The person might not really be homeless but that doesn't mean He can't use our gift to work in their lives.
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T
I think the homeless qualify for benefits. I think all they need is a checking account, and they can have their benefits deposited into their accounts. I think if anyone should qualify for benefits, they would be at the top of the list. Maybe that's why they are choosy in what people give them. However the benefits alone may not be enough, that's why they are still asking for money.
C
I appreciate it's not quite the context associated with the scripture, and it may seem to be a rather callous attitude, but what about us being told to not 'cast our pearls before swine', and the relevance of that to the OP's question. Obviously it's improper for us to be stingy or uncaring, but IMO we nonetheless need to be discerning in our giving, being careful not to support someone continuing in their adiction or other ungodliness.
If the prodigal son had returned to the Father asking for a handout so that he could continue in his wasteful form of living, I doubt that the Father would have given him anything that would support him doing that.
IMO we need to temper the giving of ourselves and resources with godly love and wisdom.
If the prodigal son had returned to the Father asking for a handout so that he could continue in his wasteful form of living, I doubt that the Father would have given him anything that would support him doing that.
IMO we need to temper the giving of ourselves and resources with godly love and wisdom.
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Anything but money unless you can have a conversation with them and no alarms go off.
Food/water is a good way to test the waters and makes sense to be a first resort. Offer to fill up their car (within MPG boundaries to their stated destination +/- 10 miles) if it's gas, don't give cash and if that's all you have then go inside and put it on the pump they are on. If they are standing around with a can, offer to fill it up for them personally. I wouldn't expect anyone to blindly trust me and if that were their only condition for helping me out with gas...why would anyone have an issue?
True it is possible after the nightmare of a day they "may" have had that a lack of trust could be the last straw but pretty unlikely.
I love to help people, but you do have to set limits and be wary. If they can't respect your boundaries, it's not a good sign.
I could type a long post on this one with all the random experiences I've had. Each one has held a lesson of some kind. It's pretty neat, perhaps I'll share a little bit when I don't have to stand to type :s
I've learned lots and really it's the people that don't ask that you should be on the lookout for. Would you ask? Most here the first time they are in that situation would find that uncomfortable and would just be praying that God sends some help to them. Maybe sometimes YOU are that help? I've had experiences of helping and being helped. It is uncomfortable to ask though if someone is alright or needs anything randomly but almost every time I have, they do.
Ach. There's so much to say but I'll leave it here for a bit. Listen to the Lord and be mindful of feeling "guilty" or "pressured". You should feel peace in your spirit in my experience.
Perhaps a Part 2
Food/water is a good way to test the waters and makes sense to be a first resort. Offer to fill up their car (within MPG boundaries to their stated destination +/- 10 miles) if it's gas, don't give cash and if that's all you have then go inside and put it on the pump they are on. If they are standing around with a can, offer to fill it up for them personally. I wouldn't expect anyone to blindly trust me and if that were their only condition for helping me out with gas...why would anyone have an issue?
True it is possible after the nightmare of a day they "may" have had that a lack of trust could be the last straw but pretty unlikely.
I love to help people, but you do have to set limits and be wary. If they can't respect your boundaries, it's not a good sign.
I could type a long post on this one with all the random experiences I've had. Each one has held a lesson of some kind. It's pretty neat, perhaps I'll share a little bit when I don't have to stand to type :s
I've learned lots and really it's the people that don't ask that you should be on the lookout for. Would you ask? Most here the first time they are in that situation would find that uncomfortable and would just be praying that God sends some help to them. Maybe sometimes YOU are that help? I've had experiences of helping and being helped. It is uncomfortable to ask though if someone is alright or needs anything randomly but almost every time I have, they do.
Ach. There's so much to say but I'll leave it here for a bit. Listen to the Lord and be mindful of feeling "guilty" or "pressured". You should feel peace in your spirit in my experience.
Perhaps a Part 2
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