by Laura Conaway

homeless

Behind the Peace Lutheran Church

Jim Oberstadt writes from Holland, Mich.:

Attached is a photo I snapped today of a homeless couple living on the outskirts of our church property (hidden behind a grove of trees between our parking lot and a school). The husband asked me today if we could give them a few more days to comply with the sheriff's eviction because he said there's no room at the local mission.

As an active member of our church I must confess feeling at best awkward, and at worst a failure in living up to the Gospel. We are a small and struggling parish, and I take some comfort in the presence of a very well-run city mission here in Holland.

Oberstadt adds that it's hard to know whether you're living up to your beliefs in a situation like this.