“I don’t have a ’fridgerator,” she said. “My mom and me sleep in the car.”

I tried not to act surprised. “Oh. I’ll bet your mom will love your picture.”

Later, I asked the program director about her situation. “They’ve been homeless for a couple of weeks,” he said. Marty is a single mom who lost her job and had no one to help her out. She’s been doing the best she can.

I told the director I would bring by some clothes and school supplies for Kayla, and I asked him how to find Marty, seeing what I could do to help her get back on her feet. That night I prayed, Lord, help me be part of the solution to this difficult situation, and help me to glorify You in the way I love on this little girl and her mother.

When we picture homelessness, it’s most often in the context of a big city or a third-world country. Yet homelessness exists in every community. God’s Word tells us to be compassionate to those in need, to give generously, and to be the vehicle of His love and grace to others. Jesus said that of those to whom much was given, much would be required (Luke 12:48). This is true in terms of material wealth as well as the spiritual riches He has poured out on us. He treated others with compassion, and we are to model Him in the way we respond to those in need.