Monday night as i was walking back from the centre of town, i came across a poor soul who had fallen and smashed his face, which was swollen quite bad. As i stopped to help him, it became apparent that he was by no means sober or clean for that matter. I called an ambulance and agreed to wait with him until help arrived.
I helped him move to a more comfortable position, and then asked him where he lives, what he does for a living and what he’s doing on the street at this late hour in such bad shape. Barely coherant, he told me that he lives on the street and begs for a living (only to spend it on drowning his sorrows). He used to live in with his in-laws until his wife passed away 8 years ago. He also lost his job as a machine operator, i suspect as a result of turning to the bottle after not finding the means to cope with his sorrow adequately.
So he’s ended up walking the streets for the last 7 months. Here’s a 54 year old man with no place left to go, no one who cares enough to support him and help him work though his pain. I tried to talk with him some more, perhaps looking for a way to give him a good word of encouragement, but every word i could think of seemed so hollow when i considered all his losses, the loss of loved ones, loss of employment, and finally his loss of dignity. Due to his intoxicated state, it was difficult to carry on a meaningful conversation, i wonder how much good any of my words did anyways.
The ambulance soon showed up, and i left this poor soul in their care. As i continued walking, i glanced back several times wondering what kind of pain has brought him to this place in life Strangely, deep inside i could almost relate to him. Then it dawned on me, that could have easily been me! Except for the grace of God i’ve found.
You see, none of us are better than this guy. We all have failed, we all have had pain and we all have had sorrow. Some more than others, though fewer and fewer of us have been fortunate to find the love, acceptance and support from friends and family who surround us. Even still, how many of us who have not found that compassion and support, masquerading as if everything’s fine yet inside we’re in no better state than this poor man...
This world needs a lot more love and acceptance, not judgement and alienation of people who struggle in life. We love our comfort zones, we stay in the company of those who have positive outlooks and keep away from those who do not or tell them to get their act together. Where does that leave our society, where does that leave churches when Christians are so preoccupied with 'positive thinking' and ‘spiritual actions’. How often do we forget that life is much more than our self defined blessings and benefits...
We say Jesus that came into this world not for the well and prosperous but for the sick and needy. He didn’t have many nice words for those who loved their high positions and comfort zones. Why have we gotten things so backasward in our view of others, expecting them to conform to our standards, while not reaching down to those who are literally wallowing in their pain. We praise and preach about a God who is loving, forgiving and compassionate, but fail to exemplify His love and compassion when we see others need deep in mud and mire...
I pray all our eyes could be opened the next time we see someone in true need, and realize: ‘There, but for the grace of God go I...
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