Dig

I was frightened today. By an old woman asking me for money. Does that sound ridiculous? Should it sound ridiculous?

I've got a long way to go to get out of my naivety.

I realize more and more every day how sheltered of a life I've come from. I also realize some who read this will either think of how they agree, or smirk realizing they are quite used to being around homeless and people begging for money. Many of us who have not spent a considerable amount of time among the poor and homeless really only encounter the occasional homeless beggar. Union-PSCE may seem like it's a safe theological haven, and in many cases it is. However, we border one of the roughest neighborhoods in Richmond and thus are somewhat engaged, or at least should be somewhat engaged, in the life right nearby.

Well today, with my lunch in hand I just grabbed from the dining hall, I hopped in my car and upon looking up from fastening my seatbelt I saw an old woman standing at my passenger window signaling me to put down my window. The surprise value of the situation had me a little shocked. I complied and she pretty much leaned in my window and said "I'm hungry can I have some money?" My philosophy in these situations is to counter their question by asking them what they need and if I can get that for them instead of just giving money. I realize there are those who disagree, but after spending a few days in a rescue mission in downtown Boston, I realized how horrible feeding a possible addiction can be, as well as how much these type of people actually need. SO, I initially offered taking her to the cafeteria to get her some food. She declined, so I then offered the plate of food I had sitting there in my passenger seat. Again she declined saying she wanted money to buy a hamburger. I told her I really couldn't giver her any cash, despite her requests for me to keep looking in my car for some. Finally she gave up and we said our goodbyes.

What a disheartening experience. Again, I know we all encounter these situations all the time, and I'd be interested to know how you all usually react. I know giving money can sometimes be used for good and they will actually go through with buying something they need. However, just the thought of supporting a possible life-destroying habit really inclines me to search for other means of dealing with these situations.

Regardless of all of this, I want to encourage everyone to one blatantly obvious fact, which I believe every one of us forgets: they are human, they are 100% just like us human. They have their good days and their bad days. I bring this up because as soon as I drove off today, the radio started playing "Dig" by Incubus. Now I'm guilty of doing the cheesy act of making a particular song heard at a particular time a significant moment. Deal with it. This song today reminded me of this fact of human nature, and despite our flaws, our lies, our ego, our "sicknesses", the thing that "digs" at us, we have each other. We must learn to "Dig" at one another. Which I believe goes to say that through deepening relationships with one another we can truly know one another. I should not have been frightened by this woman approaching my window today. I should have seen a person in need and felt a knee jerk feeling of compassion rather than fear.

lyrics for "Dig" by Incubus

Indeed this is what Christ would call us to. Deep authentic relationships, no matter what. It's pretty obvious actually. I like to think I'm preaching to the choir on this one.