The bitter cold earlier this month and the forecast of more cold temperatures expected to move through the area this week is a reminder of just how dangerous and deadly winter can be in Northeast Tennessee, especially for those lacking homes and beds of their own. Not that we need a reminder.

In recent days there have been conflicting statements about whose responsibility it is to supply shelter from the cold for the homeless. A couple of churches in the community — one very small non-denominational church and Hopwood Memorial Christian Church on the campus of Milligan College — opened their doors during the last cold spell for those needing shelter from the cold.

It’s not a time to be discussing who is responsible for taking care of the homeless, but it is time to do something about it. According to the Scriptures, we are all responsible as we are admonished to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

We do not like to be reminded of our responsibility as Christians. Sure, we have charitable organizations who distribute food and clothing to those in need. ARM and Hale Community Ministries, just to name a couple, do an excellent job of providing to those in need. However, for those seeking shelter, they must go to Johnson City to the Salvation Army, Haven of Mercy, or Samaritan’s Ministries. We have no shelter in Elizabethton for the homeless on wintry, cold nights and days.

Oftentimes, we choose to overlook those people. It’s easier to look the other way than to offer a helping hand. It really doesn’t matter how or why people are homeless. For the homeless, living in a car, a tent or on the street in the bitter cold, darkness brings neither comfort or rest. No doubt, some of them have a mental health or substance abuse issue and choose to live outside in all kinds of weather, and they can be a difficult population to serve. But, that shouldn’t be a death sentence.

Yet, some of the people classified as “homeless” are working toward a stable life that was lost for a variety of reasons and circumstances. Sometimes you can get into a hole so deep you can’t crawl your way out.

There are no snow days for the homeless. When it gets bitter cold or snows, they are left on their own to find protection from the snow and body-numbing cold weather such as is forecast for this week. Sometimes they can scrape up money to share a hotel room or find family or a friend to take them in for the night, but that is rare.

Shelters for the homeless can be a ministry, and they do require great resources and lots of volunteers. It’s something that should be given some thought by local churches. After all, it is a ministry. And, except for the grace of God, any of us could be numbered among the homeless.

The homeless? It’s a world too often seen through a distorted lens of oversimplification or stereotypes.

A shelter for the homeless? Yes, it will be a challenge, but we challenge the community to rise to the occasion. Yes, we care, and let’s show that we care.