Men and women with broken hearts

It is always helpful to put life in perspective. A St. Pete friend reminded me yesterday of those less fortunate. Oh, we pass these men and women everyday of our life. They are standing on the street corners, at traffic lights, some on crutches, some in wheelchairs, all with a handmade sign asking for help. We probably have all thought that they were only going to use the money to buy a beer or two and we probably would be correct. For many years I saw them simply as faceless individuals who needed a bath, a clean set of clothes and a change of life. That is until Randy and Cynthia Stacey started to attend First United Methodist Church, Gainesville, Fl.

Randy and Cynthia both worked at the VA hospital and they were asking me to perform their wedding. Through the counseling process they shared their unique outreach ministry to the homeless there in Gainesville called The Helping Hands Clinic. Their passion to assist the homeless in just some simple ways – a clean pair of socks, a pair of shoes, a toothbrush, a bar of soap and a little medical attention, especially for their feet – and thanks to committed volunteers, lay and medical, the help could be provided. What I didn’t understand until the Stacey’s provided the guidance and insight was that the majority of the homeless living in the woods or sleeping in the alcoves of the church were veterans.

Hank Williams recorded a song called, Men With Broken Hearts. It speaks to that grime reality of the men, and now women, whose lives have been broken because of their desire to serve our country in the cause of peace through military service. Some of the homeless are on the streets by choice, but they are in the minority. The veterans are suffering deep mental, emotional and physical scars. They are men and women with broken hearts indeed.

You'll meet many just like me upon life's busy street
With shoulders stooped and heads bowed low and eyes that stare in defeat
Or souls that live within the past where sorrow plays all parts
Where a living death is all that's left for men with broken hearts
You have no right to be the judge to criticize and condemn
Just think but for the grace of God it would be you instead of him
One careless step a thoughtless deed and then the misery starts
And to those who weep death comes cheap these men with broken hearts
Oh so humble you should be when they come passing by
For it's written that the greatest men never get too big to cry
Some lose faith in love and life when sorrow shoots her darts
And with hope all gone they walk alone these men with broken hearts
You've never walked in that man's shoes or saw things through his eyes
Or stood and watched with helpless hands while the heart inside you dies
Some were paupers some were kings and some were masters of the arts
But in their shame they're all the same these men with broken hearts
Life sometimes can be so cruel that a heart will pray for death
God why must these living dead know pain with every breath
So help your brother along the road no matter where he starts
For the God that made you made them too these men with broken hearts

And so, the next time you pass a homeless man or woman just remember that there, but for the grace of God go us. Don’t turn away. Stop and ask them about their journey and, if they decide to talk with you (they will be a little suspicious as to your “angle”) you probably will hear a fascinating story … some of it will be made up, but most of it will be true. Plus, they probably would welcome an opportunity to share a little of their history, some non-judgmental human interaction and a cup of hot coffee.

The time I volunteered at the Helping Hands Clinic was very rewarding, as well as serving as the vice-president of St. Francis House also in Gainesville. Reward yourself by volunteering at an outreach ministry for the homeless. Your life will never be the same nor how you view the various homeless men and women you see on the street. All of these ministries need and appreciate your volunteer hours and your financial help.

Quote for today: At any given time today in America, there are about half a million people who are "homeless" -- they don't have a “permanent, safe, decent, affordable place to live.” Around the world there are about 100 million homeless people, and many of them are women and children. ~Robert Alan