The beggar...

I drive by Catholic Charities on 9th and Main Street in downtown KC on my way into work in the mornings.  This morning at 7am, there was a large tarp/blanket at the front doors with a bulge underneath.  It clearly was a poor person waiting for the doors to open so he could receive services; whether that be food, clothing, shelter...or maybe friendship, someone to listen to him or help him with his problems.

This man (or woman) had courage and humility that struck me deep.  He placed himself at the doorsteps of the 'church' so someone would notice.  This transition I'm making in the next paragraph might seem like a stretch, but spiritually it makes perfect sense as so many Americans are poor psychologically and spiritually...

There is a different phenomenon I'm seeing with receiving help for pornography/sexual issues.  There are 'business' cards in the confessionals of most Catholic Churches in KC, MO.  These cards have a hotline number on them to reach out for help with sexual problems, such as pornography.  It connects them to therapy and support groups.  I often receive notices from the priests that they have run out of cards.  The priest gives absolution then often hands the confessor a card, encouraging him/her to reach out.  Here's the problem...the phone remains silent.   This hotline number receives about one call per month.  

Thus, hundreds of cards are out there...and men aren't taking the next step to make the call.  They may not end up under a tarp at Catholic Charities, but the shame, hiding and sexual brokenness become that blanket.  

It's important to define sexual brokenness, addiction and a pornography problem.  Making that call doesn't mean you're a pervert or bad person like "that other guy."  It means you're knocking on the door for help because you can't fix it or control it yourself.  The next blog will define these terms in more detail to help you decipher how serious the problem is...