This morning it was rainy and nasty as usual, so when I came out of the train station I came out underground. There was a woman sitting there on the sidewalk asking everyone who walked by to help her get something to eat. As I walked up the stairs to come above ground, there was a man standing there with a cup singing Jesus Loves Me. As I walked on the bridge to cross the Chicago River, there was a man sitting there with a cup; the same man who I see every morning. I think back to all the times I averted my gaze, all the times I rolled up my car window, all the times I pretended my mp3 was up too loud and I couldn't hear them, couldn't see them, dirty and hungry.
And then I think about my brother, and the choice he made in the past. I think about the man I've seen at the train station, sitting on the stairs. I think about the times I've given him food and the tears in his eyes as he thanked me and said "God bless you." I think about years ago when I was so poor I had to work 3 deadend jobs, two at restaurants just so I can eat.
At any given moment, I could become like them. At any given moment, all of my blessings could be taken away from me. So my basement floods, at least I have a basement. So my car got broken into, at least I have a car. So the server messed up my order, at least I was able to eat. I complain that my man doesn't love me enough, that my children don't behave, that my shoes hurt my feet. At least God blessed me with those things. At least I'm not alone in this world, hungry dirty and cold, wondering where my next meal is going to come from and if I'm going to make it through the night.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
You know, its really great that you cherish the wonderful gifts that God has given to you, but you must bear in mind that God gave you those gifts pursuant to your willingness to work hard for them. There is nothing wrong with feeling empathy for the poor, but part of me is left wondering how much of their suffering is a direct result of their apathy for life and their lazy attitude that allows them to expect us to help them. I was born into a more or less wealthy family, and I dont apologize for my good fortune. However, I work hard to ensure that my children can say the same thing. Perhaps if these poor people tried a bit harder they would not be condemned to a life of begging. But hell, if that happened just think of all of the great blog entries of which the i-world would be deprived. Your sympathy may be justifiable, but probably not worth writing about.
Thanks for you comments, Anonymous. It's always a pleasure to hear another's point of view.
Have a great day!!!
Post a Comment