Yesterday I received a call at the church where I work from a man seeking help. Now, this is not a new thing; I often get such calls. However, I don't receive as many as I did when we were handing out $10 gift cards. The church was overwhelmed and we had to stop. A new policy is being put into place which includes restrictions limiting help to people living in the area immediately surrounding the church. David is from out of state and got stuck here with no funds due to a medical condition. I had to tell him we couldn't help him. He had received similar replies from many other churches and agencies. I tried to give him suggestions. I thought that was the end of it. Some time later he called me back, seeking more suggestions. And I believe he called me back once or twice more.
David said that I was the only one who was nice to him - the only one! He made calls and visits to many agencies and churches, and his contacts included pastors. This makes me so sad. How much effort does it take to say a kind word to a person in need? What is the cost of a little compassion for a fellow human being? Has this community seen so many hurting people that we are becoming jaded? Already? With the state of the economy, I'd say that we are just seeing the tip of the iceburg. It's going to get a lot worse. Yesterday, a woman stopped by looking for help with gas. I couldn't help her either. She works full-time at a convenience store for minimum wage. She said that she and her coworkers are having a hard time affording gas. This minimum wage worker was no kid - middle-aged and nicely dressed. All I could give her was my sympathy.
David called me again today, desperate. The help he had hoped to get from another church hadn't come through. I gave him a couple more phone numbers. He called back - no luck. I was out of ideas so I called my friend, Judy, for suggestions. She didn't know where else to call but told me she'd call him personally and help him. (David called me back to say thanks.) Judy called me tonight to tell me that her husband had taken David to the store for food (he hadn't eaten for 3-4 days) plus some needed laundry supplies and other items. Ron listened to his long, sad story. On top of that, Judy's mom donated $100 of her own. And Judy is still trying to figure out what we can do to help David. Judy positively overflows with compassion for others. I wish it would rub off on others in this community. We may not be able to personally help everybody who needs it but a kind word and the willingness to listen comes cheap.
