(Almost) Daily How-To #21
Listening: “Hints” by Jose Gonzalez while sitting at Lazy Daze Coffee House.
Thinking: I’m thinking about part of a discussing my professor encouraged us to participate in. We were talking about the poor and the marginalized and he said something to the extent of, “Some people aren’t deserving of my money.” He was coming from the perspective that there are some people on the streets who play games and don’t really need the money, nor do they want to change.
I agree with him that there are some people on the streets who play games and don’t need the money. But they don’t deserve it? I wrestle with that because God often blesses us even when we don’t deserve it. Matthew 5:45 says, “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
And if we’re going to bring the Kingdom on Earth as it is in heaven, doesn’t that mean that occasionally we will “bless” someone who doesn’t deserve it? I’m probably going to ruin my whole argument here, but there was a spoken word “song” by Lazyboy called “Underwear Goes Inside the Pants,” it goes like this:
People love to judge homeless guys. Like if you give them money they’re just going to waste it.
Well, he lives in a box, what do you want him to do? Save it up and buy a wall unit? Take a little run to the store for a throw rug and a CD rack? He’s homeless.
I walked behind this guy the other day.
A homeless guy asked him for money.
He looks right at the homeless guy and says why don’t you go get a job you bum?
People always say that to homeless guys like it is so easy.
This homeless guy was wearing his underwear outside his pants.
Outside his pants. I’m guessing his resume isn’t all up to date.
I’m predicting some problems during the interview process.
I’m pretty sure even McDonald’s has a “underwear goes inside the pants” policy.
Not that they enforce it really strictly, but technically I’m sure it is on the books.
I suppose my entire point is that we do have the discernment on whether to help someone out. At the same time, we should try investing in their lives. If they don’t want help? Love them anyways… maybe someday they’ll come around.
How to Annoy Me: I still hate getting up for this 8:30 a.m. class.
How to Make Me Laugh: Hmmm…. I dunno, guess I’m not fully awake to find something to make me laugh.
Quote of the Day: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain” – Maya Angelou