Mar 24 2009
Living with Compassion
Sunday brought me an experience which touched me with compassion. As I drove home from church I noticed a man standing at the side of the street with a sign. His sign said LAID OFF, please help. He was dressed in jeans and a tee shirt, and white running shoes. The first thing that struck me was how much like any average person he was. He could have been any friend of mine or any family member, he was approximately fifty. I realized in that moment, as I drove that the face of those in need has changed radically. Our economic recession has brought desperation to middle class families across America. Last week a friend of mine was laid off, and I know several others deeply affected by the economy. I’ve seen family members laid off, homes lost, and others struggling with the loss of their savings in this economic downturn.
Money By: Tracy O Flickr
Minutes later, as I stood in Arby’s getting a sandwich I noticed the man with the sign walk in. I hadn’t been able to reach him on the street, as I was in the middle lane. Now he entered the restaurant asking for a cup of water and I felt compelled to reach out to him in some small way. I spoke to him and said I saw you on the street and wasn’t able to reach you, but I wanted to help. I handed him the few dollars in cash I had in my wallet. He seemed deeply touched that I had reached out. I told him I hoped he would have a good day, and I sent a silent prayer of blessing to him. I think the most important aspect of this experience for me was the realization of how important it is to reach out to others in this economic downturn. It wasn’t about the few dollars I gave him, it was about acknowledging him and his struggle. So as I go through my day and my week I hold that recognition in my heart to acknowledge others in their moments of need and reach out in some form. It touches my life as it touches theirs.
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I have a farm where I offered free veg to anyone willing to help weed and feed the animals. Posters were posted in nearby stores. Only one person stopped to inquire. When he found out he couldn’t sit on the tractor all day and actually had to work, he was never heard from again. I’ll feel sorry and help anyone who is willing to work for it. Apparently around here there is no economic downturn.