Tent City

As I pulled up to the paper dispenser this morning the short, white headed & white bearded elderly man on the front page caught my eye. If you know me at all you know that I absolutely adore elderly people, especially the adorable little old men.


The article had me curious so as I began to read it I began to be discouraged. You see, this man named Hal Taylor, of Bloomington, has taken it upon himself to provide shelter for homeless people in the way of tents in his backyard. A friend of his picks the homeless up each night at 9 & takes them to Taylor's house then at 8 the next morning they are picked up & taken back to town.

Now at this point this sounds like the story is applauding this man's effort to help out the less fortunate. Not the case at all, it is about the uproar the neighbors are causing & wanting the city to do something about it. As I continued to read I was shocked at the speculation that his neighbors were making. They basically were saying these homeless were you everyday run of the mill criminals that may or may not be targeting their houses to rob from.


The story went on & on about how uncomfortable they felt & how it was bring the value of their houses down.


Seriously??


Are we more worried about our comfort & the value of properties then the welfare of those around us who are more than likely homeless for no fault of their own. Even that being said who are we to judge their position?? Aren't we called to "go"? I don't ever remember reading in the Bible where we are commanded to be comfortable & stock pile possessions & shun others because they may not look like us or have the possessions we have.


So to you Hal Taylor, I say bravo! I applaud your efforts to help those around you who are less fortunate & to step out of the modern day society & reach out to those around you.


Matthew 25:40 I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'