Streets Paved In Poverty

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This is a special story about one man. Meet Jason.

Jason, like thousands of people across our country, is homeless. The day I visited with him, he was homeless in Santa Fe, sitting on the sidewalk on San Francisco street, just outside of a Starbucks coffee shop.

I was hurrying past him to go from one appointment to the next and I saw him out of the the corner of my eye, sitting there with his hand on the dogs leash, holding his guitar, staring at the sidewalk from under the low brim of his weathered hat.

I was compelled to stop. "What songs do you know?" I asked with a smile.

His voice was very quiet. "I just play my own stuff."

"Could I please buy a song from you, sir?" I knelt down before him.

He picked up his chin and his guitar, and played a tune for me. We visited for a while. He said he's been all over the country, from Florida to LA and the toughest part of being homeless is finding a dry place to stay.

The rain that has curled his hat has also washed the words off of his guitar, and his hopes and dreams right away with them.



How do you get up out of that hole? Where do you go from there?
On to the next town.
The road does not stop.

The problem of homelessness in this country does not stop.

There are efforts made here and there, by local churches, by independent groups and by individuals who want to make a difference, but it's like painting a house with an artists fine tipped paintbrush.

Our leaders have not yet found a solution to this issue, but some are trying. There must be more effort, more decision, more action to make it happen. If you live in the states, contact your leaders; your mayor, your city counsel people, your senator and your governor and tell them that this must change now. There are solutions for every situation that people are willing to change.

Someday your road will lead you home, Jason.