If I left my day job, I’d move right into writing my books full time, but to do so, I’d also adventure out to the streets, more loving on the homeless and listening to their stories. A part of me would also love to focus on sharing their lives in a small press format to give them a voice in this world.
But you ask, “Why their voice?” Well, they’ve endured challenging times. Their souls hurt, and the trials come at them. They’ve persevered, had desires and dreams, and could offer us advice on a path many of us will never walk. Their lessons on finding a way to put one foot in front of the other could give us insight. And by listening to them, I could also guide them with a hope found in Christ by sharing kindness and my time. Friendships unfold when people connect. And in turn, we, too, might find hope amid their voices. We might get a sense of what took them to the streets, how they would change things, or if they love the freedom that comes with their choices. Sure, they’ve endured a few lost chapters and possible missteps; but we might meet new friends who long for purpose or new direction. We might discover we have more in common with them than we think.
Not long ago, I met a man who once thought of ending his life. At that time, he was hopeless, lost, and caught in bondage to a lifestyle of broken choices, but in one moment, Christ called to him, seeing his lonely soul on the side of the road, or in this case, in a parking lot by a school as he sat on a curb. I’d come by after searching for him for his father and hand him a meal and sit with him. He’d move to the homeless camps, set up his tent, and begin finding his way.
