FLOWER FRIDAY - REALLY?

You would probably look like this if you had been standing outside for several weeks in the wind, rain, cold and frost that is the UK winter weather, especially if you had nothing to shelter you.

But then again, maybe you look untidy, dishevelled and worn to a frazzle because of what’s happened in your life.  Do you have a roof over your head and food on the table at every mealtime or do you struggle to make ends meet?

Do you ever walk past homeless people in your town and think that you would never allow yourself to get into “that state” - or do you walk up to them, stop, engage in conversation and perhaps buy them a drink and a bacon roll?  

When I went out into the garden early this morning and saw these three buds on the same rose bush as this frosted rose, I was tempted just to walk past, but then I thought that once the bush has been pruned and “smartened up” it will eventually produce beautiful blooms - all it needs is some TLC and some nurturing.

Many people are transformed by someone showing them some tender loving care so maybe during this harsh winter weather, we need to think particularly of homeless people - in fact, something like that is happening in our town.  

"The Haven" is a new “Night and Day Shelter” for the homeless in Swindon.  It is run by the Swindon Night Shelter charity with its base in Queens Drive in premises owned by the Council and offers beds to 12 guests each night.  As well as mentoring them, the volunteers also help the guests to find permanent accommodation.  Not all homeless people are on drugs and some are homeless through no fault of their own, but they still need to be treated with dignity, respect and care and not looked down on simply because they have no permanent home.

I often stop and speak to homeless people in our town - one in particular was an avid reader, so I used to take him books, have a chat and then get him a cup of coffee.  He used to push all his belongings around in a shopping trolley, but sadly, when he went into the Social Services Department in town some time ago, his trolley was stolen.  It’s bad enough having something stolen if you can afford to replace it, but how much worse it must be when you have no means of replacing that which has been stolen.

So on this Flower Friday, try to imagine what this rose bush will look like in high summer in all its glory - then go and sort out some warm clothes and give them to your local Homeless Shelter or donate something to your local Food Bank.  

There is a line in a song we sing that says “We are blessed to bless a world in pieces…..”  - it really doesn’t matter what your beliefs are, we can all help one another and be blessed in doing so.

“Doing good holds the power 
     to transform us on the inside, 
          and then ripple out 
in ever-expanding circles 
     that positively impact 
          the world at large.”
Shari Arison

P.S.  Despite the "shout-out" to Mr. HCB on the radio on Wednesday, I bought myself some tulips today and very pretty they are too.