After spending most of my life doing the opposite, I now stop the car when I see homeless people.
I was driving through Charlotte having just dropped off a friend. Shortly before I let him out of the car, I asked, "What do homeless people need?" (He's qualified to answer this because he and his family had been homeless for five years, up until about a year ago.) He thought for a long time about my question. Then, "They need to really truly believe that God loves them. They need hope, and to know that they aren't alone."
This conversation was ringing in my head when I saw a guy with a "homeless, please help" sign. How could I not stop? I gestured to him through the car window. He said he wanted some food, so I asked him to hop in.
"I'm Matt," I said.
"Hi Matt, I'm Steve," he said shaking my hand.
He suggested we go to a nearby a supermarket with a deli. He got a big sub sandwich cut into four pieces to eat later. He didn't want anything else, no water, soda or extra snacks. He wondered if I had a few dollars so he could get "something to drink" later on. I didn't.
As we walked back to the car, I talked about the street magazine we're trying to develop.
"I can't work, I'm disabled."
"You can work for Speak Up," I said.
When we were in the car, he looked at the business card I'd given him and then: "So this is what you're all about?"
I laughed, and told him that what I am "all about" seems to be something I need to figure out new each day. I told him that I'd experienced grace and that my perspective on everything in life had changed, and that was a big part of the reason I had picked him up; because when I was in need, I too had been picked up.
He told me he came from the Northeast, that his ma had died in 1988, his wife in 2001, and when that happened he'd lost it.
"You started drinking?" I asked.
Yes, he said, and he'd never been able to get out of it. The streets were terrible. He sleeps in a "little hole" and had been savagely beaten four times. His voice seemed so hopeless. My mind returned to the conversation from an hour before.
"Like I said, I've experienced grace," I told him, "I've been blessed when I haven't deserved it. I can say this because I've known the undeserved love of God. Steve, no matter what you've experienced, no matter where you are at right now, God loves you too."
He was quiet after I said this.
As we neared his corner he said, "Excuse my French, but this is some good sh-t you've done for me. You know what, man, you're like a true friend to me. You almost made me cry. You're a true f—ing friend, a true friend." He gestured for me to stop the car. "Man, you're making me cry," he said. As he climbed out, thanking me, I could see tears pouring down his face.
As I drove south on I-77, unable to control my emotions, I understood something deep in my heart. Steve, that man who lives in a little hole, who sneaks around in fear of being beaten, who is so hopeless–that could be me. Because we're the same. We've brought exactly the same resources into this world as we'll bring out: nothing. I'm just a man. He's just a man. We both feel shame, longing and desire. We both love our mothers, hunger for community and long for love.
God forbid I ever forget.
Thanks babe, for sharing this.
Thanks so much, Matt, for sharing this. You and Lana are showing people what compassion truly is. I am also finding out more and more about God's ocean that is grace. "He who is forgiven much, loves much."
Continue to be a star in that part of the world Lana and Matt, as you share God's love to the homeless people of Charlotte. God bless your work.
Dear Matt&Lana,
When I read this letter tears were coming. Jesus lives in you,and this what Jesus would do.Keep up the great work .May we never forget.
In His Love,
Sharon Snyder
What a great lesson in reaching out to the homeless. Thanks for sharing it! I love what God is doing with your family! Keep writing!
Matt……Wow – what a great testimony to all of us. You and Lana have so much courage to break out of that box….a lot of us are still in. It makes me excited to see how God will bless your mission…that comes from the Lord. Thank you so much for sharing!