Perspective

Yesterday, Little J and I had to go to the doctor's office for a follow-up visit after his recent surgery. We had to go downtown which I despise (although I did actually remember to take money for the parking meter this time).

As we were walking back to our car on one side of the street, a disheveled gentleman asked us from the other side of the street if there would be any way that we could help him get food. The eternal skeptic inside me was immediately alarmed (even though we had traffic between us). I replied, " Sir, I don't have any money with me." (which was true....I never, ever have cash....it seems to disappear too quickly when in my purse). He said "I'm sorry for asking. Thank you anyway."

I felt terrible as I watched him walk along. Immediately I was reminded of the "do for the least of these" passages in the Bible. Yet, wanting to be protective of Little J, we skirmished off to the van. As we got safe and sound in the van, all buckled up with doors locked, our conversation went something like this:

Little J: Was he really hungry?

Me: Well, he says that he was, so I suppose he was hungry.

Little J (with big crocodile tears): Then we have to feed him. I know what it is like to be hungry. Remember all the times I told you that Asnakech and I had no food and we would go to bed hungry? There is a White Castle across the street, Mom. Can't we feed him?

So, of course, we went and Little J ordered some food for him (burgers, fries and don't forget the drink). We returned to see the guy walking down the street. We pulled up and gave him the food. He thanked us profusely.

Little J: I feel better Mom. Thanks. Can we pray for Ethiopia and all the hungry people?

Upon arriving home, Little J shared his adventure with the rest of the kids. M asked me later if the guy was dressed warmly. I said that he had on jeans and a t-shirt. Solemnly she replied, "In the Philippines when I would give my food away on the way to school, the people would have old, ragged clothes on and you could see their ribs."

What a picture...

a child who remembers hunger, praying for those who are hungry.
an orphan giving food to someone who is homeless.

"The King replied, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these of these my brothers, you did for me." " ~Matthew 25:40

"and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on." Luke 21:2-3