Homelessness and its struggles are really just a metaphor for all of life. Stripped of the clothes and the cars and the houses, a person is left vulnerable and transparent.

But inside mansions or outside under overpasses, people are people. Addictions plague the wealthy and the poor. The capacity for violence and self-destruction exists equally in every human heart.

It was a hot day — so blistering we did something we've only ever done this once: move our Thursday afternoon time under the shaded foyer of CitySquare's building in our hood. Normally, we brave the elements, heat or cold, with our friends who are homeless.

It is not for this reason, however, that I remember this day. It stands out because two homeless men said the exact same thing to me in a short two-hour span. What they said is the sort of thing you know people think but that you never expect to actually hear.

Back by popular demand! 

In November, we held our first Street Side Salon. Since then, we have had many requests to do it again! Back in November, four stylists, including one man who is himself homeless, cut over 40 people's hair.

In talking to my friend Greg yesterday, I was reminded of how long it took for us to see just one person get clean, move forward in their life.

He asked me, “Since you started this, how many people you seen get out?”

I said, “Maybe five.”

Let's get real: I find the idea of washing someone else's feet quite awkward. I occasionally broke into a cold sweat earlier this week just thinking about today.

And on top of it all, because of the cloudy, misty day, we weren't sure if anyone would actually show up to get their feet washed. But Jonathan faithfully set up the chairs, and we got the stations ready ...

Two weeks ago, Elissa and I were at a recovery center checking someone into rehab when I saw a friend from the streets out of the corner of my eye. I hadn’t seen her in months. I had to do a double take — she looked different. She wasn't just physically cleaned up; her entire demeanor had changed.