A Woman and Three Children Living in Her Car
Most people never really sat down and got to know a homeless person but every homeless person is just a real person that was created by God and it is the same kind of different as us; they just have a different story. – Ron Hall
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I go through periods in my life, where the reality of the depth of suffering that mankind goes through, seems to almost be the only reality. That this world is a sort of hell, and we are imprisoned here. It is a mood, that passes, but it has roots in reality. Today with the Pandemic (hopefully coming to a close), the war in Ukraine, the upsurge of violence in our cities, and the many trouble spots all over the world, darken one’s take on life.
Last Wednesday, I was walking out front on an errand, when a man who was visiting the Monastery, walked up to me and mentions that he was concerned about a car in our parking lot. The motor was running, the windows up, and the car was surrounded by personal belongings. So I thanked him and walked over, not without some trepidation, towards the car.
I walked up to the car and looked inside. I was surprised to see a woman with three children sleeping. I tapped on the window. She put down the window and she seemed to be very tired, and a little beat down by life. The three children, aged three, four, and five were beautiful as children are, and seemed to be clean, well-fed, and happy. So that helped to give me a little relief.
It turned out that she has been homeless for three weeks. Her husband was abusive, and an addict. So she had to leave. As we talked my concern for the children became more central. She was down to her last four dollars, which did not help. I asked her if she has sought help for herself and her children. She said no. So I asked her if she realized that she and her children were easy targets and that there are people who would steal her children from her. She said yes, she was concerned about that. She also mentioned that she was robbed once.
I liked the woman, she was doing the best she could. As we continue to talk, I told her that because her children looked happy and contented with her, and clean and well-fed, I would not call the police. Instead, I asked her if she thought of that. She said yes. So I took a chance and said, would you like for me to call the police for you, and she said let me think about it. So I said I need to go into the house and will be back in a few minutes.
I needed to get some gas money for her, as well as some money for food. I was worried. I found some information about a group in Conyers that helped women like her, who had children, and were homeless.
She promised that she would get the help that very day. Also that if it did not work out, she would call the police if things got to the point there was nothing else to do.
She did tell me that she has always worked but had to quit her job in order to get away from her husband. Her goodness and loving nature were shown in how she took care of her children.
I believe she went to the organization that helps homeless women with children, and hopefully, she is even today, doing better.
If I did not have faith in God, I think I would have sunk long ago. I can’t always say why that helps, it simply does. Faith does not answer all questions, but it does give a backdrop where even in a waterless desert, life can blossom. God is not magic, life is hard, and many suffer much more than others, yet we can all do our part, even if it is in just a small way to help others.
What we put our children through, is heartbreaking, as is what parents can do to each other, as well.-Br.MD
