By Rev. Janet Stobie
When I was researching my new novel, working title: Wider Horizons, I interviewed Christian Harvey, the director of Peterborough’s One City homeless shelter and drop-in center. As we spoke, Christian pointed to a group of people standing outside the hall door in the rain, their worldly belongings packed into shop-ping bags and grocery carts.
“Each morning,” he explained, “everyone who stayed overnight has to leave by 8 a.m. From 8 to 9, the hall and washrooms are cleaned, the cots are put away, and the furniture is reset for the drop-in centre.” This cleaning is essential and required by the city.
I didn’t ask what happens in the winter.
In my manuscript, Renee, a university student, volunteers at a food bank. At first, her motivations are practical—she needs to complete a photography project and wants to do something useful. As she gets to know the people she photographs, she begins to see them differently. These are human beings, just like her. They wait in long lines on cold, snowy days, often without warm coats, for a simple bag of groceries. For some, that food must be easy to eat while living in a tent or on the street. To her surprise, she builds relationships and even friendships.
Imagine yourself homeless. What would you carry in your shopping bag? Only necessities? Would there be anything precious as well? Would tenting still feel like an adventure?
Years ago, my former husband and I were both university students and while being parents of three young children. For three years, we lived on bursaries and his ten-hour-a-week job. There were no luxuries. When our TV broke, we did without. Hamburger cost 28 cents a pound. That was our meat almost every day. We drank powdered milk. We never went hungry. We had shelter. We chose temporary poverty in pursuit of education. We had credit cards, bursaries, and family support.
Writing Wider Horizons has changed me. Before, I was aware of homelessness—sort of. But it was easy to judge. Now I understand that those men and women we label as “the homeless” are simply people.
It doesn’t matter why they have no shelter. The fact is, this morning they are cold, wet, and hungry. They may find space in a shelter tonight—or they may not. The drop-in center won’t open until nine. Maybe they’ll get a hot meal at the Salvation Army. Maybe someone will hand them a few coins. Maybe they’ll sleep under a bridge. Maybe.
When I asked Christian Harvey what people should give to someone standing in the street with their hand out, he said something I’ll never forget.
“That’s your choice—money, food, a gift card, a friendly hello. Always remember, you are giving a gift. You cannot control what is done with it. Judgment isn’t needed. You are sharing.”
God created this world with enough for everyone. Some of us God blessed to give. Some God blessed to receive. Never forget that both are groups are God’s precious children.
For more reflections, www.janetstobie.com