Some more thougths on the homelesss....

Well, I thank my friends for the comments they left with my last night's rant. I probably seem like a heartless person. It's the whole asking for money thing that I have a problem with. I have donated to soup kitchens and food banks in the past (I've also donated to thrift stores, etc), and like Mattsmom, I don't see a problem giving food to people. She pointed out that, at least with food, you know that you're not providing them the means to do something you disagree in (drugs, alcohol, etc.). The only time people have approached me, though, they have asked for money or cigarettes or "money for smokes." There have been a few times when, walking in downtown Portland, my whole family has been approached by people asking for money. Not to mention the droves of peole quietly sitting on the side with signs, asking for help. Maybe I'm just a little over-protective of my two small children, but I really don't feel comfortable when a stranger asks for money with my kids right by me. The way I see it, any money these people do get from begging is just a quick fix, not helping them in the long run. If anything, I would dare say that some (but not all) are hindered by that hand-out because they will settle for leading that type of life, knowing that they can get the money. I wish there were more programs to help get these poeple off the streets and reahabilitated to a better, healthier lifestyle. I would have no problem donating to those charities... Meanwhile, I have to try to find a delicate way to explain all of this to my five year old daughter, and eventually my baby boy. (No, I don't rant to them the way I did on my blog... that was a brief moment of frustration). As a parent, where do you draw the line? I want my kids to know that we are all children of God.... that he loves all of us, and that we should be kind to one another. We are all human, and part of being human means we have flaws and make mistakes... mistakes that Christ atoned for. So, who are we to condemn people? At the same time, I don't want people taking advantage of my children (or scaring them, for that matter). I'll have to do some more pondering on this issue. Perhaps I'll write some more later about it.