This was a sad sight. It is a major problem in America right now ... especially with the current world economic situation. Some arrive at this stage by making many bad decisions BUT some get here with being older and expendable. Either way, perhaps you could pray for the least of these when you see them. NikonSniper Steve
Stephen if ever a photo evoked an emotional response, this is it. What a heartbreaking sight. And you are right, so many find themselves in similar situations. Prayer is the least we can offer them.
My first thought was, How Sad. Also, some are homeless, because that is the way they want it. We picked up a man once a few years ago, and had an interesting talk with him, he was headed for Florida, so he would be in the warmer weather for the winter. He was happy with his homeless life. So, I guess it takes all kinds.
I have recently read a book about homelessness and it truly changed my perspective. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and this photograph, once again reminding me to share LOVE.
Steve, When my son was a boy he read these "Choose your own adventure" books where he'd have to decide the next stage of the story and turn to the appropriate page for an alternative ending. This photo reminds me of those types of books. It's like it has so many sub-stories woven into it. What brought the man to this point? Is he pushing his cart over the tracks and across the road after buying some cheap liquid breakfast at the liquor store in the background? Did he pick through the dumpster to find something to eat from the grocer back there? What did the man in the car feel as he watched the man pushing his loaded cart? Did the driver feel repulsed - pity - compassion - thankfulness? Did the driver say or do anything to help? What could he say or do? The homeless man has obviously been this way for some time now. He's spent a lot of effort decorating his shopping cart. Does he have dreams to one day decorate a real house? Who's license plate adorns the front of the cart? Where is the man pushing it to now?
I have looked and looked then looked again at this photo. And every time I look, I see more. It's a horribly-good photo. And you're so right, we all need to realize that, "but for the grace of God..." this could be any of us. And YES!! I will definitely use this as a reminder to pray for the 'least of these'. Thank you. Deb
deb, brilliant words. many of those very things i wondered myself. i really think about the driver of the car. i wondered what he felt. i had to take this shot quickly so i would not be seen. i was worried that someone might think that i was photographing this poor man out of mockery. i can't say what the driver of the car felt. i can only say what the photographer felt. i hurt for so many who make the wrong turns to get to this road. many times its their own fault ... but not all the time. even when it is their fault it is so hard to escape this road. i believe that 99% of these made bad choices and are so helpless to make enough good choices in a row to leave this road. either way the photo leaves me with wonder and compassion. it is the kind of photo that i sometimes second guess if i should post. people want to look the other way. photos like this actually surprise people here.
let me end by saying this:
Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV) 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
8 comments:
This was a sad sight. It is a major problem in America right now ... especially with the current world economic situation. Some arrive at this stage by making many bad decisions BUT some get here with being older and expendable. Either way, perhaps you could pray for the least of these when you see them.
NikonSniper Steve
Stephen if ever a photo evoked an emotional response, this is it. What a heartbreaking sight. And you are right, so many find themselves in similar situations. Prayer is the least we can offer them.
My first thought was, How Sad. Also, some are homeless, because that is the way they want it. We picked up a man once a few years ago, and had an interesting talk with him, he was headed for Florida, so he would be in the warmer weather for the winter. He was happy with his homeless life. So, I guess it takes all kinds.
There are as well many such dreams to be seen over here in Athens.
Making oneself, hopefully, wake up at a better day.
A wonderful Thursday for you.
I agree. There are people that simply are a victim of circumstance. Not all, but some.
I have recently read a book about homelessness and it truly changed my perspective. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and this photograph, once again reminding me to share LOVE.
Steve,
When my son was a boy he read these "Choose your own adventure" books where he'd have to decide the next stage of the story and turn to the appropriate page for an alternative ending.
This photo reminds me of those types of books. It's like it has so many sub-stories woven into it. What brought the man to this point? Is he pushing his cart over the tracks and across the road after buying some cheap liquid breakfast at the liquor store in the background? Did he pick through the dumpster to find something to eat from the grocer back there?
What did the man in the car feel as he watched the man pushing his loaded cart? Did the driver feel repulsed - pity - compassion - thankfulness? Did the driver say or do anything to help? What could he say or do?
The homeless man has obviously been this way for some time now. He's spent a lot of effort decorating his shopping cart. Does he have dreams to one day decorate a real house? Who's license plate adorns the front of the cart? Where is the man pushing it to now?
I have looked and looked then looked again at this photo. And every time I look, I see more. It's a horribly-good photo.
And you're so right, we all need to realize that, "but for the grace of God..." this could be any of us.
And YES!! I will definitely use this as a reminder to pray for the 'least of these'. Thank you.
Deb
deb,
brilliant words. many of those very things i wondered myself. i really think about the driver of the car. i wondered what he felt.
i had to take this shot quickly so i would not be seen. i was worried that someone might think that i was photographing this poor man out of mockery.
i can't say what the driver of the car felt. i can only say what the photographer felt. i hurt for so many who make the wrong turns to get to this road. many times its their own fault ... but not all the time. even when it is their fault it is so hard to escape this road. i believe that 99% of these made bad choices and are so helpless to make enough good choices in a row to leave this road.
either way the photo leaves me with wonder and compassion. it is the kind of photo that i sometimes second guess if i should post. people want to look the other way. photos like this actually surprise people here.
let me end by saying this:
Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV)
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
nikonsniper steve
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