Proverbs 31:8,9 - Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Open your mouth... It's not very often I hear those words in reference to myself. I think most people would rather I shut my mouth. But here it is...speak up, world. Speak for the voiceless.

In 2 days, I have seen 2 homeless people roaming our streets in Bolivar...pushing their carts piled high with their treasures. The only things they have in this world. To tell them those belongings are materialistic would be insulting. Their life is with them wherever they go. Their home is underneath their feet at all times. In 2 days, I have seen 2 police cars pass them by without hesitation. I don't know the legality of being homeless. I don't know what I expect our officers to do. But the indifference in the voice of the woman at the police station when I called last night was shocking. As though I had to explain how cold it was going to be last night...why wasn't that her first thought?

Why can't I let it go? I broke down in tears at my work today as I spoke about them. Why has this struck a chord NOW? They are someone's someone. If not now, then in years past. They have a story. It may be pebbled with addiction and abuse...sins they believe will forever be unforgiven. It may simply be a wrong turn with no one to help straighten the course. But they have a story. And probably no one to hear it.

They need a voice. But first, they need someone to listen. I don't know how, at this very moment, that I will be able to help. But I know I'll see it when it happens.