After reading over John Scalzi’s list of what it means to be poor, I spent some time thinking what it means to be homeless.

Here are just a few off the top of my head. I could do this all day, and the longer I do it, the angrier I get at a society as rich as ours that could let this happen.

Unless Jesus was kidding about that Sheep and Goats thing, the church is going to have some serious explaining to do.

Being Homeless

Being homeless means wearing clothes you did not pick out.

Being homeless means eating what they give you.

Being homeless means having to hear a sermon before you can eat.

Being homeless means being asked for your ID by the police for being in the park.

Being homeless means hiding everything you own so no one will throw them away.

Being homeless means spending most of your day with addicts and the mentally ill, even if you yourself are not.

Being homeless means people are surprised you have an opinion on the presidential election.

Being homeless means walking several miles to eat.

Being homeless means you hope the crazy street preachers show up because it is Saturday and the soup kitchens are closed.

Being homeless means eating meals in a soup kitchen no person would ever order in a restaraunt.

Being homeless means chicken hot dogs.

Being homeless means hearing people tell you you should be thankful for what you get (like chicken hot dogs).

Being homeless means rich church folks giving you second hand underwear.

Being homeless means standing in line for everything.

Being homeless means paying 25 cents to pee.

Being homeless means crying when it rains, because you know everything you own is ruined.

Being homeless means having to choose between staying in the shelter tonight or going to work today.

Being homeless means going to the day labor place at 3am and signing in so you can work that day and make $47.

Being homeless means paying $5 to cash that $47 check.

Being homeless means you are supposed to be thankful the county will let six of you take a shower each week. During the day. When you could be looking for a job.

Being homeless means being called ungrateful when you ask why only six, when there are 2000 homeless in the county.

Being homeless means wondering how you are supposed to get a job when you cannot take a shower.

Being homeless means being thankful when the temprature drops below 32 degrees, because it means you are allowed in the shelter that night.

Being homeless means trying not to ask yourself is there is really a difference between sleeping outside when it is 32 degrees and when it is 35 degrees.

Being homeless means people will judge you for smoking cigarettes.

Being homeless means being afriad to tell anyone where you sleep.

Being homeless means talking to your children on a borrowed phone.

Being homeless means being afraid to hope anymore.