Are we the same?

Tonight I started reading a new novel at the gym before, I'll admit, I was suckered into the last 15 mins of American Idol. It's called the Homeless Bishop and started very stereotypically, which the narrator being fixated by an obviously homeless man in a church service. People move to the other side of the aisle when he walks in and he's given the cold shoulder throughout.

I'm sure we'll soon find out that this is a man voluntarily living on the streets as a social experiment or some such thing.

I've also read Under the Overpass, an account of two young men who lived out this social experiment with a lot of lessons and observations along the way.

I myself have spent several days sleeping in a homeless ministry, but I let those who asked know I was an undergrad student. My big revelation was how similar I was to these folks. Yes, I was a white, sheltered, well-fed college student who had never tried drugs and had certainly never been physically or sexually abused. But at the core we were the same. We could laugh about the same things, and I was ashamed that I was surprised that they had hopes and dreams - that this whole homeless thing or drug recovery was just a stop on their journey, and that they knew they'd get through it and leave stronger. I was surprised that even with the clear understanding that I was a college student there to observe them, I they let me into their lives. They taught me how to play bridge and we watched a Will Smith movie on Friday night.

Following that, I insisted on speaking to the homeless on the street, making eye contact and small talk even when I had received a catcall.

I'll admit that I have let this slip, but I hope that this trip reinvigorates that compassion, and passion. That I would recognize the humanity and enter the trip ready to make friends and learn.

I am going to read When Helping Hurts, that my good friends Jason and Michelle gave to me a few months ago and I have kept meaning to read...

I must go to sleep now, but I am sure I will right more about this experience and these thoughts.