My wife and I cooked some beans last night and got up this morning to roll some bean taquitos, package them with fruit and water, along with gospel tracts, to take to a couple of places where day laborers congregate hoping someone will pick them up and give them work. As usual, we ran out of all before we ran out of men. Some observations on the day: the men were all either hispanic or black, but they were from a variety of places; one from Cuba. All want to work, probably all are illegal although we don't ask before we give them food for their bodies and their souls. All are grateful, and would prefer we could hire them for some job.
On the way to the corners where we give out the "manna", we followed a nice shiny mercedes sports car down an ill repaired street for some blocks. Probably a Doc on his way to Baylor. God bless the doctors. On our way again after the distribution, we passed what looked to be a homeless woman with three young children straggling along behind her. The youngest probably three years old and the oldest possibly eight. The woman and the two older children were carrying trash bags of what we assumed were likely their belongings. Stopped to try to offer some assistance, but it was almost like we were not there. No recognition of someone wanting to help. So, sadly the lady and her children walk on up the street without the assistance we wanted to offer.
I couldn't help but think that this is what God sometimes faces as he tries to help, offering the sacrifice of His own Son to rescue us from destruction. A blank stare, an uncomprehending look and some poor soul who slowly turns away and goes their own way to destruction.
As I headed back to the house, I passed a church in the "Deep Ellum" area of Dallas (an area where older buildings are being revitalized into expensive condos). Outside the church a worker was taking children for a ride in one of those strollers that hold about nine children. Several well dressed mothers strolled alongside them for their ride, smiling and happily chatting with one another. Again the contrast between those mothers who were happily looking after their well cared for children and the mother who was leading her small children with their belongings in trash bags to some unknown (to me) destination in the downtown area. I a happy for one set of mothers and sad for another who are so visible in this Dallas of contrasts between abject poverty and elegant opulence.
I'm not passing judgement, as I have previously noted, even in what I consider my modest means, I am so blessed and wonder what the answer could be for the poor. I realize that if I liquidated everything I have and gave it all to the very poor, it wouldn't go very far, and then would I too would be destitute. So I must do what I can within reason and pray for those who like me are trying to make a modest difference where they can.
