We Take So Much for Granted
“Things we don’t even think about, we take for granted.” That familiar phrase couldn’t be more accurate for a family who is experiencing homelessness.
Becky, the director of Agape House of Prescott, recently did a video series to open our eyes to what excites Agape House families. Families are grateful for a thermostat that creates instant heat! Especially when they lived in a car or tent for over two years and were always trying to stay warm! A young man was excited about a washer and dryer so he didn’t look and smell dirty when he went to school. A father was ecstatic at the thought of a shower! A shower not only for him, but that his whole family was going to be able to have a hot shower. A simple shower is a stark contrast to years of trying to rinse off in a creek or trying to freshen up in a public bathroom.
I enjoy a good shower. I enjoy the simplicity of walking into the other room to wash our clothes. We regularly enjoy sitting in a recliner, in a warm house, out of the weather, and enjoy our own space. It is rare that we stop to realize how many people don’t have these simple pleasures—how often we take these normal provisions for granted.
An Agape House single mother shared the excitement of her 5-year-old daughter and the daughter’s excitement of having her own bed! At 5 years old, the little girl had never had a bed to call her own. Again, we take a simple bed for granted. Many babies born into homeless situations don’t ever have a crib.
While visiting the credit union, another Agape House little girl was so excited to share with the staff that she went to school. In fact, she declared that she went to a ‘rich school.’ The lack of stability for families experiencing homelessness causes children to miss school and miss out on educational opportunities.
The gift of prayer is something that we also often take for granted. As believers in Christ, praying daily, praying often, and being grateful is a way of life. What if you don’t have someone to model and teach you how to pray? Agape House disciples the entire family on the love of Christ and the gift of prayer. Maria, who is a staff member at Agape House, helps with the children—giving them the guidance and mentoring they deserve. Above all, Maria teaches them how to pray!
We are also guilty of taking for granted that other people will help these families. Agape House is the largest family transiting housing non-profit in Yavapai County that provides housing free of charge to the entire family as they save their money to rebuild and transform their lives. Families are given the support necessary to live a life of independence, a life where they say ‘no’ to being homeless and ‘yes’ to a stable future. Agape House is grateful to all of our supporters for giving families a second, third, or even fourth chance at living independently. Together, we are changing lives, one family at a time!
