What's in a name?

Last week this picture of a New York City policeman giving a pair of boots to a barefoot man went viral. This act of compassion captured the heart of many throughout the country. During this season when we acknowledge the greatest gift ever given to mankind, God’s Son, Jesus, this picture reminded us that we can pass on His gift of love in tangible ways. It was indeed a heartwarming scene. What was missing, however, was the identity of the recipient. The article never mentioned his name; he is simply referred to as the “homeless” man.

By not mentioning the man’s name, a certain distance is created. He is less personal to us, and we are insulated from his suffering.

“Homeless” describes a category, a situation, the circumstances in which a person finds himself. It is a label – the opposite of personal.

I work within the Rescue ministry at UGM. One of our goals is to personalize the individual’s plight rather than just look at his condition. We do this in very simple ways, some as simple as taking time to put a name with a face.

On a daily basis, we seek small, tangible ways to remind each individual of his value and importance, to show him that he is a unique creation of God and, regardless of his past and/or present, God has a plan for his future. He is not defined by his past or current condition.

Max Lucado puts it so well in his book, Cast of Characters: “Like a pesky sibling, your past follows you wherever you go. Isn’t there anyone who sees you for who you are and not for what you did?”

Here in Rescue at UGM, we’re trying to be just that – the people who see you for who you are.

For starters, we’ll call you by your name.

~ Timothy Braach, Day Room Manager