Yesterday I got angry.
As I was shopping In Sale, I met a young homeless couple. Gareth and Ruth were both under 25 and homeless all over Christmas. They slept in Manchester’s Piccadilly Station in the snow. Minus 19 some nights. I was tucked up in bed. With a hot water bottle. You?

Gareth told me that no hostels would take them in BECAUSE they were together.
“if we lie and say that my girlfriend is pregnant, we can get help.” He said. “We were told by the housing officer we spoke with to just lie. But we didn’t want to. So I’m forced to beg £20 to stay in a crumby hotel.”

Gareth’s girlfriend stood apart from him. Her face was filled with shame. Clearly, she was not a beggar.

This guy did not appear to be on any substances. His breath did not smell of smoke or drink. He looked tired and cold. But that is unsurprising. I gave him some money to buy some food and told him I trusted that he would. I didn’t have time to get him some myself as I was late to pick up the boys.
He didn’t look like a beggar. He looked like one of my brothers. A normal sweet face, with a mixed-up past and an uncertain future. I texted my pastor for his advice. He told me to encourage them to go to Social Services. I went back, but they had moved on.

What a world we live in; where authority figures ask people to fabricate stories to enable them to get assistance.

Of course, Gareth may have been spinning me an elaborate web of lies and I was duped enough to throw him a few pounds.

But its true that our world is messed up.
Banks will only lend to those who have a ‘good credit rating.’ In other words they want you to be in debt already and have a good record of paying it off.
In order to qualify for housing benefit you need to have an address.
In order to be registered blind you need to sign some paperwork.
In order to have a disabled badge you need to go through about 15 hoops.
In order to order a bigger council bin you have to endure a 20 minute verbal questionaire about the approximate weight, height and inside shoe measurement of all the members of your family.

Lord I am a sinner. I often do not care enough about this world to actually get off my bottom and do something about those in need. Forgive me and make me more ready to act and serve you.
Help me never to take my warm house, loving family and over-stocked fridge for granted.
Please may Gareth and Ruth find somewhere to sleep tonight. Give them favour with those in authority who can help them, and make those they ask for money stupidly generous.

Amen