Meet THREE FRIENDS

“We have nothing to offer.”

Can you imagine that as your belief system? Your motto? Your personal brand?

I met these new friends a few days ago, and I can’t stop thinking about all I learned. 

In fact, I told them that midway through our hour together on the side of the road.

They didn’t believe me. “We have nothing to offer.”

I need to be cautious with details, but there are a few things we all need to understand.

If you have dangerous habits, it can be hard to get help without first being incarcerated. One of my friends who needs professional help was told the only way to get it quickly would be to commit a crime and go to jail, then rehab and recovery resources would kick in.

Can you imagine waking up on the streets and your first thought is feeding your habit, and not your body? But having nowhere to turn?

Can you imagine wanting just a bit of compassion from strangers, but instead listening to shouts of “Loser! Why don’t you get a job, get a life, get sober?”

Every angry and rude verbal punch leaves a mark.

When I asked about their families, one of them gestured to the other two men and said simply, “My mother took her life when I was a little boy. This is my family.”

We talked about how much they look out for one another, and I asked how they can still feel like they have nothing to offer.

“We care for each other, but no one cares about us.”

I was very generous with your cards to all three men and promised them that a small army of donors across the country absolutely cares for them.

We see them. We believe in them.

And we surely know they have something to offer.