I was reading from the Old Testament this morning, and was reminded of the limited choices that are often faced by those who live on the fringes of society both then and now: Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, Why stay here until we die? If we say, Well go into the city--the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here we will die. So lets go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die. (2 Kings 7:3-4) This kind of desperation exists in our world today even as it did in the ancient one. Sometimes we are puzzled and even belittle the decision-making of those who live in poverty. I think this is largely due to the fact that many of us have little understanding of the daily realities that they face in their lives. And the desperation that is the result. Im not suggesting that we make excuses for folks, but I do think that the compassion that accompanies taking the time to understand will make our efforts to help be more productive and better received. This is something I have learned since moving downtown. And I still have much to learn!!
Posted on: Thu, 26 Jun 2014 16:15:49 +0000
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