Cold

Well the temperatures have surely dropped here in NC since Christmas but the sun was shining so I had to go for a ride. I’ll admit it was not as long a ride as I usually take,  but it was still refreshing and good for the mind and soul.

I got on my layers of clothes and unlike most rides,  I had a specific route in mind and let my hubby know exactly what it was, for safety and peace of mind. We’ve since played with a way for us to be able to see where each other is on our phones so maybe we’ll try that next time I ride and see how it works. I normally just head out to ride with no particular route in mind and often change my mind as I ride. This would allow him to know where I am in case of an emergency.

Anyway, back to the ride. I wore my full face helmet today and several layers of clothes. I stayed warm except for my finger tips. I definitely will be investing in a better pair of gloves for winter riding soon.  That was the only part of me that got cold, there’s no way to layer those for warmth with the gloves I currently have.

As I rode and my fingers slowly started to feel the cold, I couldn’t help but think about those who are homeless.  How do they stay warm? If they get cold, how do they then warm up? In my mind I then pictured people standing around a barrel that had papers and other items in it burning while the homeless were rubbing their hands over the barrel to warm them.  I’m sure this works well to warm the hands but what about the rest of their body and what about when they have to move away from the barrel to sleep or eat?

It saddens me to think of people living this way. I know it’s a choice for some to live this way,  but often it’s because of poor choices or bad luck or any number of reasons that people end up this way. I know my nephew that passed away from cancer at too early an age had a fear when he was younger of dying alone in a situation like this.  I’m not sure why he felt that fear because he had a family that loved him and we never would have allowed that to happen, but it was a fear he had just the same.

Sadly, there are women and children and veterans included in the homeless population. Too often when people think of this population it’s assumed that it’s mostly men and that they’re getting what they deserve because of the choices they’ve made.  Nobody deserves to live that way in my opinion.  We’ve all made mistakes along the way,  does that mean we deserve it too?

I will admit I have passed by people standing or sitting on street corners with signs on cardboard asking for money. Unfortunately it’s become hard to tell if someone is asking because they are truly in need, or if they are trying to scam others.  I guess what it comes down to is doing what feels right to each of us.  As long as we do it with the right motives and mind set, that’s all we can do. I’ve read about those who have made “goodie bags” with some basics in it like snacks, toiletries, maybe a gift card like to a fast food place so it’s only used for food, etc. and when they see someone asking for help they pass those out instead of cash. Whatever we can each do to help is a start.

If you watch much TV at all you see ads begging for money to be sent to 3rd world countries and to animal shelters,  but you don’t see them reaching out to our veterans and women and children or entire families living in the streets.  I agree we need to help all in need that we can, but it seems we often turn away from  those near home that need our help. Maybe it’s politics, maybe it’s denial that it occurs in our own neighborhoods,  maybe it’s other reasons. Whatever the reason,  I pray it will change.  Nobody deserves to go to sleep cold and  hungry in a country as wealthy as ours.

Matthew 25: 40-45

⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

⁴¹ “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: ⁴² for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; ⁴³ I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

⁴⁴ “Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ ⁴⁵ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’