Hey, everyone!
Wow, the end of the year is upon us! The year really flew by, didn’t it!? Before we know it, Christmas will be here and gone and we will be ringing in a New Year! It’s hard to believe.
My Grandma always said, “As you grow older, time goes by a lot faster!” Boy, she wasn’t tellin’ no fib, that’s a fact!
With all that has been going on the last two years, some things have really changed….for some folks. Not a lot has changed for us around the Ranch, but things have been a lot different for us at our full-time jobs. Some folks are all on-board with some of the ‘Mandates’, and some not. Those who know me, are fully aware of my stance on things, and I don’t blame folks who feel differently. It’s ok!
How has things changed for ya’ll? I’m curious to hear from you, and see how you are handling things, and if it’s been a difficult transition or not? You can let me know here!
So, the main reason for this post is to talk about a subject that is a problem all across this Great U.S.of A. The Homeless.
My husband, John and I take two trips every year for our ‘vacations’. One in November, to the PBR Finals (Professional Bull Riders), and one in December to the NFR (National Finals Rodeo), both of which have been held in Las Vegas for a long time. Well, they’ve been there as long as I’ve been with my Hubby anyway. Now, next year, the PBR Finals will be held in Ft. Worth, in May, and we are so excited!
If you have never been to Las Vegas, you should go at least once in your lifetime. It’s a beautiful city with millions, maybe trillions of lights! It can be very beautiful….at night.
However, when dawn breaks, and you start driving around places outside ‘The Strip’, it’s kind of sad. One of my biggest pet peeves, has always been TRASH! My goodness people, we have had these things we call Trash Cans for centuries! Use ’em!
It never ceases to amaze me the amount of laziness we have here in the U.S. Every gas station has trash cans, every restaurant has trash cans, almost every public building and parking lot usually has a trash can. There is really no excuse for not walking your fanny a few steps to throw your trash in a trash can!
Ok, I’ll get off my soap box now about the trash, but seriously, Las Vegas, and even my own small little ‘ole hometown has a problem with trash on the sides of the road, and elsewhere.
Another thing that is SO evident in Las Vegas is the number of homeless folks! Almost everywhere you turn, there are homeless walking the streets. It really makes my heart sad, every time we are out there. My hubby and I try to bless a couple folks while we are out there. We are very blessed, and so we should lend a helping hand to our fellow man. That’s what GOD wants us to do! Love thy neighbor!
I haven’t gotten the opportunity to sit down with any of these folks and talk to them. It would interest me to know what kind of circumstances led them to where they are today. I know we all think in our minds, ‘It’s Vegas, they are a bunch of gambling drunks who lost their butts.’ That just can’t be everyone’s reason.
I see people who have obvious mental health issues. What happened to them? They were just ‘tossed’ out to fend for themselves? Are there no family members or anyone who crosses their paths that doesn’t ‘point’ them to a place that can help treat them? I would love to be able to sit and chat with them for a few minutes and find out why they are where they are.
There are literally folks outside of restaurants begging for food or help! We don’t give them money, we are wiser than that, because we know, there are addicts who would rather spend that money on their addiction rather than eat. But, if they are hungry, and you give them food, they are going to eat.
One of the saddest things I have seen is a restaurant manager going outside and physically run a man off the property simply because he asked a customer for help. I’m sure the customer must have said something to the manager, and I suppose I understand his side of the situation. He doesn’t want customers to not come in because they feel they are being harassed by the homeless, however, it really hit my heart in a big way.
Of course, those who know me know that I work on the Fire Department, and we have our own ambulances. We see this a lot in the city I work for, but not to the scale that it is out there. Something really needs to change in our Great Country, so that these folks with mental health issues can get some help. Hell, the government is so concerned about folks in other Countries, but lack the ‘know how’ to help our own? Or are they just turning a blind eye?
I know we ALL cannot help them ALL, but if each of us did just a little something for just one person, wouldn’t that be a HUGE impact!?
So, I guess, I’d like to put a CHALLENGE out there to ya’ll! Check with your Pastor at your Church, or if you don’t have a church, go to the nearest one and ask if they know of someone who could use a little extra help this Christmas! Check with your City Government, the Police Department, Fire Department. Those folks deal with your city and county folks regularly, and probably know of individuals, or entire families who are down on their luck and could use a helping hand over these Holidays coming up!
I myself, am going to do the same. I want to make a difference. I want to be a blessing to someone, even if it is a small way, it will matter. I whole heartedly believe that. If you are generous with your blessings, you will receive blessings trifold. Try it, see how full your heart is when you see in the eyes of these folks how truly grateful they are.
But when you do, remember:
Matthew 6:1-4, Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
What do ya’ll think about the problem of homelessness, hunger, mental health that doesn’t get help? What is the answer? Do you do anything to try and help? If so, what are some ideas? I don’t want you to give details, as we are to give and help without ‘bragging’, perse. I’m just interested and curious if there is more I can do. Let me know here.
I’m also going to research the in’s and out’s of grocery stores throwing food away instead of donating it to the hungry or food pantries. I’ll let you know what I find out about that.
Until next time! Stay Safe and Be Blessed!