Bent

This picture was taken after encountering a client sitting outside their tent at their camp. A ROC outreacher asked the client how they had been doing?

They responded by pointing to this bent tent stake lying on the ground in front of them and saying:

“Well, I am feeling much like that tent stake there. I’m above ground, but barely. I’m bent, but I’m not broken. This world, and those who are against me in it, can try to break this spirit of mine, but it won’t work.”

If you were without a car, society wouldn’t label you as a carless person. If you were without shoes, society wouldn’t label you as a shoeless person. Homelessness is one of the only issues where you can be labeled for something you don’t have and then be punished for your attempts to survive without it. Here in the state of Tennessee the punishment can lead to a felony.

The tactics of cracking down, repeating punishment, and attempting to bend people into shapes that society deems are more acceptable have been proven to be more damaging than helpful. People are unlikely to become what we want to make or force them to be, but people are more likely to reach the fulfillment of who they are meant to be through encouragement. Encouragement is the key to transformation.

While we at the ROC are encouraging and hoping for transformation for our clients, it has been just as common for the encouraging words from clients to transform the lives of those outreaching to them.

Yesterday a R.O.C. member had the privilege of informing a client that has been experiencing homelessness for years that the moment had finally arrived for them to be referred to a housing program. The client was shocked and very appreciative and spoke about how they were not expecting this moment to ever happen.

Later in the day the client called another ROC member and said:

Client: “Hey, so earlier today one of the other outreach people came out and told me I was referred to a housing program. While I am thankful for that opportunity, I have been sitting here thinking. Do you know the older gentleman that stays in the bushes near where I sit?”

ROC Member: “Yes. I have seen them a few times, but I haven’t talked to him much.”

Client: “Well, he is much older than me and seems to be frail, and I am worried about him. Is there any way you all could work it out for him to be helped with getting into a place before me? I can handle it out here better than he can.”

ROC Member: (With Their Jaw On The Floor Of Their Car). “Wow! That is probably the kindest, most thoughtful, and most unselfish thing I have ever heard someone say! How about we see if we can somehow set it up for both of you?”

The willingness for this person to sacrifice their long-awaited moment to obtain housing for another is astonishing. Like a stake being driven into the foundation of what makes us human, no matter what shape our circumstances have bent us into, we still possess the capacity to hold on and make sure we are all secure and safe. This is humanity in its purest form.

#BENT

#Outreaching

#ReachingOut

#ROCRetrospective

#ReachEmDontMistreatEm