Twenty-twenty (2020) has been an eye-opening experience in many ways. It took the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor for the U.S. to come together to say enough is enough with police brutality. The handling of a worldwide pandemic allowed us to see where we stand as a nation, and brought us together in ways we never imagined.
Because of the pandemic, we can all say “IC.” We C how quickly life can change. We C how fragile life is. We C how quickly we can go from having a life of comfort to living on unemployment. We C how easy it is to lose housing. We C that we all need one another to make it through the trials life sends our way.
This pandemic gave me a reminder of how things can change in an instant. I went from having a great job, to unemployment, to being homeless within 120 days. For that same period of time, I slept on my sister’s couch and was reminded how quickly life can change for any one of us. It also deepened my commitment to help others. CNN reports that homelessness is expected to increase 45% this year as a result of lost jobs and housing from this pandemic. Can YOU C or are we blind to what is happening around us, because we have our jobs and the ability to work from home?
Throughout the New Testament, you find scriptures where sight is given to the blind. Jesus wants us to see what is happening around us. We can see the homeless when they are begging on the street corner, lying on a bench, or huddled under a box on a heating vent in order to stay warm. But, what about those we cannot see, those who are sleeping in their cars, in hotels, or on the floor of a neighbor or friend? The members of this invisible class of homeless are right in front of us and are in need of an emergency shelter like Winter Haven. Just as we are coming together for other causes, this too is a cause worthy of our support. Jesus admonishes us to “help the least of them.” Jesus is touching our eyes that we might C (SEE)! He then says to go help those who are poor.
Winter Haven Emergency Shelter is run out of a house this year. The County requires residents to remain housed 24/7. This is a huge expense increase for House of Divine Guidance, as it now needs to cover both housing and staff. You can help by donating to Winter Haven through your church offering. You can provide a hot meal, individually packed food items, or drinks. Reach out to Dr. Donna Robinson at 301-325-5596 or donna.robinson@houseofdivineguidance.org to say how you would like to help. Now that your eyes are open, go tell others, “I was blind but now IC!”