The Homeless Man

Recently I have noticed a change in the homeless that stand on our streets asking for money. Some are so bold to simply use the phrase 'need beer - why lie?'. Many are younger. I recently met a young lady, in her early twenties, a graduate of bible school from Virginia. Her name is Sara. I had seen her walking across the mall parking lot for several weeks. The morning I met her she had been sleeping on a bench in front of the mall. I waited for her to wake before approaching her. Our conversation was short. As I started to ask her questions to determine how I could help her she said she had to go. She got up from the bench, took her bags and walked north on 9th avenue.  I haven't seen her since. I don't doubt that there are truely those who are homeless. Recently I learned that there is an epidemic of teens who are homeless. Discarded by thier parents, left to live on the streets. I am told by my own children of kids in high school that are homeless. So if we all reach out to these teens we actually have a chance to change lives or at least assist on helping them get back on a path of love and support. According to a recent ABC documentory this is most what they want. A sense of belonging. Sara seemed afraid to recieve help. She seemed ashamed that her hands were not clean enough to shake hands. Maybe she was too proud to accept help. Maybe she just doesn't want help. Perhaps this is true with the homeless that are older. I simply do not know. Who is that teen that is homeless? Who is the woman or man standing on the corner? If Christ were to return today would you recognize him? After all, he was homeless and would most likely return as such. How do you look at the Homeless man, woman, child?