Discovering Wisdom at Society’s Margins: 11 Unexpected Life Lessons from My Journey with the Homeless

Here are the simplified and more conversational versions of the original text:

Title: 11 Life Lessons I Picked Up from Volunteering at a Homeless Shelter

Hi there. Today, I want to share some lessons from the time I’ve spent helping out in my local homeless shelter. After reading a fantastic book, “The Hole in Our Gospel”, back in 2017, I decided to contribute a bit to my community. I had once served food at a homeless shelter in my freshman year of college, loving every bit of it. Trying to rekindle that spirit, I took the leap in 2017.

I didn’t just want to provide meals or wash dishes but wanted to offer more, like conducting men’s Bible study. Though I’ve missed a few sessions, I’ve been visiting the shelter once a week for over a year now, providing Bible studies to those in the shelter’s men’s program. The guys I work with, while homeless, are receiving help from the shelter in terms of meals, beds, and life skills aiming to get a job and stand on their own feet again.

The folks present in the Bible study are often men just released from prison. Some participate enthusiastically in the study, while others reluctantly join in due to it being a programme requirement. Gradually, I’ve made friends with many of these men and learned some valuable life lessons. Here they are:

1. **Life doesn’t start at an equal level for everyone.**
The men in the program taught me that several of them faced life-altering challenges that I was fortunate enough to dodge. Some of their stories of abuse and hardship were truly heartbreaking.

2. **The role of parents is significant in shaping lives.**
Being part of this program re-emphasized the importance of good parenting. Seeing the positive and negative impacts parents had on these men’s lives, it made me understand the significance of being there for my kids in every possible way.

3. **Our choices are long-lasting.**
Many struggle to find employment due to their criminal records. It’s evident that poor decisions from the past can create significant hurdles in one’s present and future.

4. **Addiction can ruin your life.**
Seeing the devastating effects of drug and alcohol addictions on these men’s lives served as a strong reminder of the importance of getting help promptly for any addiction issues.

5. **Less is more.**
While we may look at many material possessions as necessities, participating in the program made me understand that we can live happily with much less than we think.

6. **Change is not easy but it’s possible.**
Despite their challenges, these men showed a persistent drive to improve their lives. It served as proof that making consistent efforts can lead to change eventually.

7. **Community is powerful.**
The magic of the community is seen within the shelter’s walls and outside. The donation-dependent shelter and the friendships formed between its residents reinforced the transformative power of community.

8. **Discipline is paramount.**
Seeing the men develop discipline to overcome their struggles emphasized the importance of discipline in every walk of life.

9. **Poverty is not about intelligence or laziness.**
Circumstances and past decisions largely contribute to poverty. Noting that these men are hard workers and intelligent, one can’t simply attribute their situation to laziness or lack of smartness.

10. **Service brings blessings.**
While I initially started volunteering to help, I came to realize I was receiving a whole lot more in blessings and life lessons.

11. **Judging others isn’t fair.**
Engaging with these men has taught me that everyone has a past, which may include mistakes. But it’s not my place to judge them for it, rather to extend hope and help for a better future.

So, that’s my story. If you’ve got this far, thank you for taking the time to read. I hope this tale might encourage you to lend a helping hand wherever you can afford to. You’d be surprised at the blessings you’ll receive in return!