The document discusses the experience of becoming dispossessed or homeless. It describes several ways that people can lose their homes such as job loss, natural disasters, illness, or rising property taxes. Becoming homeless is devastating and people miss the familiar things about their former home that provided definition and reassurance. The dispossessed are left feeling empty, angry, and degraded without a sense of purpose or future. The conclusion encourages showing kindness to those experiencing homelessness by offering hope, care, and refraining from judgment.

1. The Dispossessed © june 2007 Ace Lewis

2. Once I had a home, but no longer. I liked my home. It was warm and safe.

3. Now I’m alone. What do I do now? Why are you angry at me God?

4. There are so many ways to become dispossessed these days. The loss of a job, the cutback of hours; all of a sudden, you can no longer meet the bills.

5. Perhaps a new person came into the home and they didn’t want you there. Somehow you threatened them. One day, you find yourself being kicked out, with no where to go.

6. There are the natural disasters; hurricanes, tornados, tsunami’s and earthquakes. One day your home was no more and there were not funds to rebuild .

7. And then there is illness or injury. So much money going into medical bills; eventually the savings are eaten up. Whatever the cause, you are devastated . Property tax goes up and all of a sudden, the money is no longer there to pay it. Now what ?

8. The chair you sat in, the view from the window, the flowers in your yard, your neighbors; all of these defined you and reassured you. Now you peer into empty spaces and wander how you will ever rebuild your life. How will you manage to endure it?

9. Darkness all around me, Angry clouds blowing my way The fog in my spirit seems endless Everything seems to take so much effort these days . The winter of my soul, Layers of feeling broken and wondering Why……. I feel so degraded. I no longer have anything. Empty swirling futures envelop my heart I have nothing to give, nothing to show for my time here.

10. Recognize the pain Offer a flower Smile and say hello from your heart

11. Conceive of a better future for them Have faith in their potential Care Offer words of hope envision them finding a healing Bless them

12. Know in your heart that for this person being homeless is a short trial to come through and that there is a rainbow on the other side. Refrain from judgment Say something simple like “I’m sorry.”

13. In the end only kindness matters