Homelessness

Working on, and now, launching my latest book, “A Place Called Home”, has meant that for the last year, much of my focus has been on the issue of homelessness.
In the Bible, we hear the story of Ruth and Naomi. Famine had brought Naomi, her husband and two sons to a strange land. Death left Naomi with two daughters-in-law, no income and no home, far from her own people. One daughter-in-law returned to her father. The other, Ruth, pledged to go with Naomi. With great courage and God’s help, the two widows return to Naomi’s home country, where family helps them build a new life. Traditionally, this is considered a story of family commitment and faith. It is also a story of homelessness.
Many of us today equate homelessness with the people we see sleeping outside on heating grates in big cities. We believe that we would never be in that position. Hopefully, we won’t. But the reality is that many of us live from paycheque to paycheque. Relentless payments: insurance, mortgage or rent and hydro bills pay no attention to job layoffs, broken relationships or illness. Without the support of family and friends, ordinary middle and low income families can and do find themselves in crisis without shelter.
In the City of Kawartha Lakes, there is a place for families as well as singles and teens, a home where there is support for people in crisis. Many of us do not know its story, or even that it exists. On Thursday, Nov.18, from 5:30-7:00 PM, A Place Called Home will host an open house and launch my book to give everyone an opportunity to grow in their understanding of homelessness today. I urge you to come and see and learn. Join me Thursday at A Place Called Home, 64 Lindsay Street, South, Lindsay, Ont.

"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked.
"Come and see," said Philip. (John 1:49)