A pillow is an object to lay your head on while sleeping.  It may be used to prop ourselves up so we can read a book or watch TV while in bed.

I know I take having a pillow for granted, but I have also come to realize that my pillow has become a source of comfort.

With the ministry, we travel.  We just finished back to back conferences and are getting ready to travel again and I at least know that at the end of the day, as I lay down my head, I will have a comfort of my own home…my pillow.

How many times have you seen a toddler with a tiny little pillow along with their blankie?  They may take it to daycare or they may take it to Grandma’s house for the weekend, but it’s just a pillow right?

Wrong.

I have been teaching at our local women’s shelter and God shown me many things.

I have come to know many women who are not addicted to drugs or alcohol, but find themselves homeless. As I have heard their stories, I have realized that some were caught up in a cycle of dependency upon the government and for whatever reason they were never taught that the government system wasn’t the best answer.  I also met women who had low self-esteem and self-confidence for various reasons and therefore followed the crowd.  By following the crowd many of them ended up in relationships that were full of co-dependency and dysfunction.

As I have had the privilege of working with these women, I have also realized that when you are homeless, people come out to rescue you. While some of the services are necessary, the way they are provided do not empower or equip the homeless to become self-sufficient. Sadly, these actions can add to their low self-esteem that says: “I am not good enough.”

Then many come into the shelter at Christmas, thinking the homeless children need new toys. [ctt template=”12″ link=”506us” via=”no” ]Have you ever wondered what happens to the thousands of dollars’ worth of toys the homeless kids receive?[/ctt]

Did you know all their belongings need to fit in a locker not much bigger than the size of a high school locker? If this was me as a parent, I am pretty sure I would want the room in the locker reserved for clothing and essentials to life.

So why did I write this blog?  And why did I start with a story of a pillow?

I hoped to share some of the realities facing someone who is homeless and would really like a hand up and not a hand out.

But a hand up isn’t easy. It requires working within systems that are already in place, even if you may not agree with the rules or policies.  Case in point…a pillow.  The security of a pillow. A soft, plush 1ft x 2ft bed of foam or feathers, where you lay your weary head at night. This is not a luxury afforded you when you live in some shelters. Pillows are not provided due to sanitary policies.

So here is my question, will you join me in equipping and empowering men and women living in shelters, transitional centers, jails/prisons, etc.? Will you invest the time and energy needed to help them become everything God created them to be?  Will you help equip and empower them to see and fulfill their God given purpose? Will you help by giving them dignity and value?

For more information on how to provide services that can create sustainable change click here to order a copy of the book Breaking the Broken.

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