January 29, 2012
How I Take My Mind Off Myself "These are lives that have been shattered by the ills and negligence of our culture. When I'm able to help others, fear for myself or self pity vanishes."
by Jerry Chapin
(henrymakow.com)
Last week I did one outreach case for my church: A black grandmother that just moved here from a mess in Memphis.
She is caring for her two granddaughters for a son who is in prison back in Mississippi, and her other son she brought here is already in jail for possession. She needed two months rent which more than we're usually called on to give, though we usually do it if we assess that they won't just get evicted later.
This woman's situation was shattered but I noticed her granddaughters were well behaved and sat still when she told them to.
When we interview a client, then we discuss with the apt. manager. Another black woman, she clearly wanted us to help this woman, and said she'd help her find some kind of work. Many of these cases get disability or child support.
She has disability and had been sitting with invalids and baby sitting. Obviously there was trouble with the sons selling drugs that blew up in Memphis.
She did well to end up here. Those apartments are crummy but the people there look out for each other and it's in a safe area.
Anyway, I couldn't promise our pledge in this case without a vote so I told the old woman and manager I'd let them know Friday I told them we would probably pledge 1/3rd. At our meeting Thursday night, they approved a pledge of half without hesitation.
I called the apt. manager Friday and told her we'd pay half up front and someone would bring her a month bus pass.
The manager herself thanked me as if I'd save her from eviction. She was so happy not to have to throw the woman out on the street. She said, "thank you for helping our people. God bless you".
I don't know if she meant black people or all the downtrodden. The last client we helped there was a white grandmother with a 15-year old boy and 20 year old unwed mother with a 2-year old child.
These are lives that have been shattered by the ills and negligence of our culture. When I'm able to help others, fear for myself or self pity vanishes.
Three years ago when I believed I was washed up, I felt such terrible regret that I'd never done things I can do now. There's no ego in it at all. I'm grateful to get to do God's will. Practicing the Golden Rule for real is really all we can do to save humanity .
