Homeless!

Well, here we are, says me walking into a beautiful and large lounge room where I introduced my young homeless lad, Joey, to the very rich owner of the home, Mrs Slater, my friend Jeanette.

Joey had been into all sorts of troubles - he had run away from an orphanage when he was really young after his Mum and Dad, who hadn't actually owned any properties, were killed so horribly in a car accident just five years previously.

He had lived in the streets up until now - no schooling, no family, no job, begging on the streets and stealing things to eat, and sleeping really rough.

Jeanette had no children; she also ran a private stable yard where she had at least fifteen horses, all trained for all sorts of wonderful and marvelous things, and also a boarding house. Her husband, Al, had unfortunately died of cancer ten years before, and she had just resumed running all the things that Al had worked so hard for many years before his untimely death.

I had previously explained to her that I had found and befriended Joey, and he had no one to turn to. He was at an age where he really needed work and maybe catch up on the schoolwork that he had missed out on for years.

We had spent hours encouraging him off the streets, getting a huge medical check-up, and treatment for his health, also off to the dentist with lots of work having to be done after living on the streets all these years. 

I had contacted my friend, and as it turned out, she was actually looking for a young apprentice to start caring for the horses, initially, and then possibly taking on a more senior position, depending on his abilities and what he truly wanted to do.

Poor Joey looked pretty miserable. He was standing there all dressed in his new gear and new shoes, which were completely bizarre for him, considering that he had lived so roughly for the past five years. he was miserable because he had no idea what was in store for him.

Jeanette turned to Joey and said, "Come and help me make some tea, and you can have afternoon tea with us."

Joey seemed pleased with that, and he actually shocked me when he said, "Thank you, Mrs Slater."   I was sitting there all alone in the living room, and I must admit I was a tad teary, especially hearing Joey say that to Jeanette. I could hear them talking, which was pretty encouraging.

Joey and Jeanette chatted for about an hour, and Joey completely started to unwind. He shared with Jeanette everything that had happened to him, well, almost everything. 

She explained to Joey what the job entailed and what he would have to do. She explained that he would be boarded out in the small flat above the stables, and she expected him to get up really early in the mornings and get the horses ready for whatever the day had in store for them.

She told him what his salary would be and also said it would not be that amazing, considering he would be getting board for free and also three meals every day. Depending on what he wanted to do, there would probably be some openings for him to maybe try his luck in all sorts of places within the compound of her boarding house and stables.

Jeanette told him he didn't have to accept the job if he preferred something else, and if he decided to think about it, to let her know when he was ready.

Joey suddenly didn't have to think about it. He was startlingly active for the first time I had ever seen him. "I would love to accept your offer," he said. "I have never been offered any sort of job before, and this one is amazingly so so good. Thank you so much."

I was astounded!  In the short time I got to know Joey, I had never heard him talk like this. Jeanette was upfront and so truthful. She explained everything to Joey, even all the taxation he would have to pay, and how she would be deducting this from his wages, and what to do about it.

She also explained just about everything he would have to do to commence employment with her business. Also, the best way to approach the horses is to get to know all the people involved in their care. She didn't 'pull any punches' when it came to explaining just what the job entailed and told him not to expect that everything would go according to his plans. The job was going to be hard and often tiring.

Joey seemed to accept everything Jeanette told him. I had never seen him so excited about anything until today.

He came home with me after all of this with a new perspective on life. He was thoroughly nervous and yet so excited. he couldn't believe that his life was changing so much. As soon as we walked through the door, the first thing he said was, "How do I learn to read and write? And what do I have to do?"

I was totally gobsmacked! Here was this guy who had lived on the street for all these years and was so ready to jump into life, boots and all. I was totally gobsmacked!

You know, the Bible does not run away from difficult realities and hardships in people's lives. The Bible recognises that homelessness can be a real problem. In Mark chapter 14 in the Bible, it says, "The poor will always be with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me."  Jesus was always so good with the poor and needy. He helped them constantly. He also knew that he wouldn't be around physically to help them. He was a great example of helping the poor and needy.

Jesus was so radically different from those around Him, especially the pompous leaders at that time. Their constant 'putting people down', their need to excel, and to show others how superior they were. There are so many people today just the same.

God tells us through Jesus' ministry and through His word, the Bible, that we have to be different from the world at large. Showing love, compassion, and kindness, and providing for the homeless and destitute in our society.

Jeanette was a Christian, and she knew she had to help where she could. She remembered what it said in the Bible in Mark chapter 10: "Even our Lord Jesus did not come to be served but to serve."

Jesus Himself took on the role of a servant. He was the most humble of all. He put everyone ahead of himself and virtually asks us to do the same. You know, Jesus calls us to lower ourselves, put others above us, be last.

Jesus was a servant to all. He loves us so much.

Helping others is amazing and astounding. We often can't afford to do what Jeanette did in the story above, but helping others, even in small things, can make a huge difference in people's lives. And God Himself knows how we believe and what we do to help others. 

Are you ready to become a Christian by receiving Jesus as your Savior? All you have to do is believe and ask God to forgive your sins, whatever they may be, and He will. That was God's plan of salvation for all of mankind when He gave His life for us on that cross all those years ago.

We have all sinned so much, and to think God is so ready to forgive us astounds me. Just put your faith and trust in Jesus, and He will save you for eternal life with Him.

God bless you this week. Hope to see you next time.