Heidi Viars

You sit there waiting in the street –

Your eyes so sad and tried.

They hope to catch a softened heart,

As they grab passersby.
~

You wonder if you’re ever loved

By someone long enough,

Or if you must leave this home too.

So you act bad and tough.
~

You cannot speak like others do.

You heard them say, “You’re slow!”

Such words like, “retard”, “dumb”, and “fool” –

They pierce your heart and soul.
~

You are the homeless, lost, and cold.

You are the foster child.

Your longing cries out from your soul –

For someone not pass by.
~

Forgive me if I’ve never cared

To look you in the eyes.

And told you that your image bares

The one of  Jesus Christ.

“Father,
forgive me if I don’t love my neighbor the way that would honor You. 
You asked me to love others the way I love You and myself.
Please teach me, to honor those around me.
Help me treat others with dignity, respect and love, 
Knowing we all are created in Your precious image.”
~

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.