I see the homeless on the corner by my office every day. They band together in the center median to lay on the grass, and hold signs made of withered cardboard to ask motorists for money. Today I gave a woman $5 I had on my dash, change from the extravagant tradition of getting a skinny vanilla latte every day, no doubt. A friend in the car gave me a lecture on why I shouldn’t “reinforce” their begging. “They’re just going to spend it on crack or alcohol. You’re not helping anything”. In fact I don’t always give out money directly to those in need, those on the street corners or outside the grocery store, those who approach me at the gas station asking for money to make it out of town. I don’t always have it. Sometimes I’ll give them bottled water instead. But I get the lecture from people all the time. And here’s the thing: I know I’m not helping them get out of poverty or rebuild their lives with $1, $5, even $100. It makes no difference in the grand scheme of their life or maybe even their day. I don’t think the money always spent on drugs, although I’m sure many times it is. And I’m really not in a position to judge anyone at any rate.
I just think it’s important to acknowledge their need. To reach out and show compassion by saying: “I see that you need help, it may be woefully inadequate, but in some small way I will help you because you are a human being and we are here to help each other.” I can’t imagine all the suffering that comes with living on the streets or being a prisoner of addiction, but I have to guess that being shunned by society and looked at with contempt by everyone around you makes life seem hopeless. I can’t imagine keeping faith in humanity as you sit on the side of the road in 102-degree weather as person after person walks past you, averting their eyes, not even acknowledging that you exist. I know it still isn’t much, but in some small way, by being willing to simply stop and look them in the eye and speak kindly and respectfully, I hope I can show those in need that there is compassion and generosity out there. People have good in them and all is not hopeless. There is created in those moments just the briefest human connection, but it’s all that really matters. I don’t help others nearly as much as I wish I did, but I have never regretted it when I have. It’s what we’re here for.
