Three years ago my little family became homeless for a short period of time. I had never been in that situation before. We went from staying at a motel to living with friends to living out of our vehicle.

It’s a pretty difficult circumstance to endure. And very stressful. You don’t eat well. You don’t sleep well. After days of no acess to a shower, let’s just be blunt about it you undoubtedly stink! You feel fear, uncertainty, and helplessness. When basic needs aren’t met the psychological state of a person is affected.

Not to mention we had three children at the time and it was especially cold on those October nights. We slept in our vehicle…this was one of our most trying hardships as a family. Thank God we had a vehicle to sleep in at the very least. Most homeless live out on the streets.

It can happen to anyone; veterans, single men and women, families, the employed, the unemployed,and virtually anyone.

Getting accepted into a shelter is challenging if not near impossible. In these bigger cities, where we have a higher population of homeless people, they occupy the shelters quickly. They stay full and rarely have space available.

It’s quickly discouraging because you realize they don’t have any room to help everyone. And they don’t have room to help you.

In Fort Worth, Texas you can go down Lancaster street and see the homeless men, women, and even children huddled in blankets together trying to keep warm.

The time I was homeless I tried to get my little family into a shelter but they said they were full. The only thing I could do was to be put on a waiting list.

Eventually I got a call from the shelter, but the call was literally 6 months after the fact and a whole new season later. By then we had an apartment again.

I just love to hear stories about people and organizations that go out and help our homeless community. I love those who have a heart for the homeless.

That’s why today I want to give a special shoutout to a business who went above and beyond. They went out and made an impact on the homeless community here in Fort Worth, Texas.

Cranium Barber Shop, and their team along, with friends and family,(approximately 12 to 15 volunteers) held their third annual coat drive on Sunday December 18,2016. They were able to distribute many coats/jackets to the homeless.

It is so beautiful to see love in action. Check out this candid photo of my work colleage and mentor, Marsha Haywood volunteering at this year’s annual coat drive. Marsha said,”I love helping people and wish I could do it more than once a year.” She said she was “amazed and encouraged by these less fortunate, who despite their struggles were very happy and in good spirits.”

The Holy Bible says

“…for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.” ( Matthew 25:35)

And….

“…Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”(Matthew 25:40)

That means that when we help somebody in need, in essence it is the same as if we were helping God.

Thank you to Cranium Barber Shop for caring about the least of these in Fort Worth. We salute you! For showing us how you represent your organization. How you go out and support the homeless community with your benevolent annual charity event.

Allow me to leave you with my parting thoughts.

Don’t forget to remember the least of these. They are normal people just like you and I. They shouldn’t be forgotten. So I encourage everyone especially any readers or followers of my blog to go out and help out at least one homeless person this holiday season.

Come back and share your photos with me. I would love see your candid photos and to hear about what you did to contribute to ths homeless community.

You just don’t know how happy they must feel when they realize that we see them. We hear them. We want to bless them, pray for them, and believe with them in a better tomorrow. Help them in practical ways. Buy them a meal. Bring them a toiletries backpack. Or give them a warm coat.

Let’s show Cranium Barber Shop some love by liking their organizations Facebook page and leaving some encouragement and positive feedback.

Find them on social media at:

Cranium Barber Shop on Facebook

Like, Save, and Follow, to show your support.

Photo Credits: Cranium Barber Shop, Marsha Haywood

Published with permission by Marsha Haywood