Man in a Tree

How do you help a man who has slept three nights in a tree? A man who has slept in a tree rather than on the ground for fear of being attacked. A man who says he has been abandoned by his partner with no money, no spare clothes, and no identification. The Salvation Army hostels were all full; and the local authority hostel offered to see him - but a man without id and proof of benefits can't be admitted into a hostel.

Yesterday we warmed our friend up, gave him the benefit of the doubt in terms of his story along with some food, a rail fare, and a letter of introduction to the local authority hostel.

But tonight he came back having spent a fourth night in the tree. All out of ideas now, and unwilling to give any more money, we gave him a hot meal, made some sandwiches and found some fruit - and off he went to try and get himself back home to at least get some id.

Frustrated at the limitations of what we can do, and angry that someone can get into this position in the first place, I am most struck by the fear in his eyes. A grown, fit, strong man frightened by his experiences on the streets and frightened at the prospect of more time there.

I sit writing this, reflecting on my meeting with him, in the warmth of my home. "Come, Lord Jesus" we sing - sometimes so glibly. We look to God's redemptive plan to make the whole of creation new, where no one need sleep in a tree. We live in between the Kingdom now and the Kindom not yet - but today the tension is hard to live in.