This is Home

I had the opportunity through the City of Winston Salem to participate in the March for Homeless Children Parade in downtown Winston Salem, NC.  As an official member of the College Advisory Board, Executive Team, it was a joy to come out in support of this issue.  For many of us, a roof over the head means home or a place to dwell.  However, for a child, home as they say is where the heart is.

Yet, home is more than that.  It is a place of peace and tranquility.  Perhaps, it should be the one place on earth where you can be you.  Acceptance is a word  that is thrown around, when home is spoken about.  That may be the case, but often times it is a form of loving tolerance.  Home stimulates your abilities.  The caring and nurturing environment aids in our development as people.  Truth sharpens us to form quality values and behavioral norms built upon godly principles.  

As I was walking in the parade, I saw many faces in the crowds waving at us.  Outside on this frosty evening, it doesn't go unnoticed that there were many people who had no home or place to call home.  We walk past them all the time, as they are the faceless members of a world we live in.  I grew up in a environment where poverty was a daily experience all around me.  Most people that have similar experiences will tell you stories about "the bum, the whino, the begger," and so on.  Mixed in the crowds, I saw people to whom home is not real.

That brings me to the children.  In our world, there should never be a child without a true home.  I can speak on this because I was one of those children.  The worst thing a child will experience growing up, in my opinion is not having a home where there is love to nurture him/her to full growth.  Oh but, there are other things far worse some would say.

No. No. No.  There is not.  Most of the things people will think of are the results of not having this.  If a child is in a home where love truly surrounds him/her then all of the other things that plague our society can be avoided.  Home will shield him/her from the world, not in totality but you get the point.

This world is too large, too filled with resources, people, money, food, property, and talent for any child to be homeless.  It is blatantly wrong, malicious, and irresponsible to argue otherwise.  How much money do people need?  How much property?  How much power?  I can ask a lot of questions to a lot of people who have resources. One day I will have influence in changing this world.  Home for everyone is one of my goals while it is day and we can work.

Pray for all our children.  Pray for their development.  Pray for God-fearing teachers, politicians, and security.  Pray for homes for the homeless for this is true religion.