In order to have HOPE, a person must be certain that their need for happiness will be fulfilled by something that is outside of themselves.
I was reminded of this on my way to work this past Friday, March 27th at PM. I exited the 405 freeway and saw a homeless man standing on the side of the road with a sign "Homeless, Can you help? God Bless." I caught myself staring at this man, which isn't normal for me. I looked at him and handed him a dollar from my wallet. He smiled and said thank you. I turned my head to look out the front of the car, and in the rearview mirror, I saw the homeless man give the dollar to the people in the car behind me! I was shocked, in a positive way, not angry. I was in awe of what I just saw with my own eyes.
I slowly turned my head towards him, my eyes were wide open, and he says with a smile, "They needed gas money. Everyone can give." I took out the last money, $5, from my wallet and gave it to him saying, "maybe you are hungry?" He smiled and said, "yeah I am. I'll go right now to get something to eat." Then smiling at me he said, "you take care of yourself."
In truth, I tell you, this really happened. This is only possible because this man has HOPE!
Guido and I are recruiting for a supervisor for the Companionship of Work - Janitorial Services. We are trying to recruit from the soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The day after encountering the homeless man, I was reading in the WSJ, "A General's Personal Battle" by Yochi J. Dreazen, Sat/Sun March 28-29, 2009, W1, "The Army says that for the first time the rate of suicide in the military exceeded that of the general population last year..." It goes on to say, "And there is a higher incidence of suicide among people who have been diagnosed with PTSD, like the returning veterans."
HOPE. It is something from another world, but in this world. After meeting this homeless man, I am more certain of the fact that LAHH needs a supervisor for the purpose to give someone HOPE and thus life. We press forwards!
Nancy
