“Help carry one another's burdens." ~ Galatians
6:2
Jalen’s family was as dysfunctional
as it was large. His mother Jolene’s hunger
for procreation looted their already meagre budget. With each new sibling the resource pie got cut
a little thinner. There was rarely
enough food to provide even a hint of relief from starvation.
Today would be one of those
rarities, however. His grandparents
invited the family and a few close friends to celebrate Jalen’s seventh
birthday to a picnic in the park. No
presents – but plenty of fried chicken and all the fixin’s.
Just as the candles were about
to be blown out, Jalen noticed a woman and a small boy rummaging through the
park dumpster for food. He begged his
mother to invite them to the party.
There’s something about hunger that robs the spirit and the
body. In the throes of severe malnutrition
all emotions that could thwart a person's ability to fight selfishness are
switched off. At least that's the way
it was for Jalen’s mother - Jolene said “No!”
As Jalen continued watching them, his grandfather handed him
an envelope. It contained a crisp $50
bill and a handwritten note suggesting he spend it however he wanted.
The argument that he’d hoped to avoid erupted between his
grandma and his mom. Jolene objected to
her son receiving such a large sum of money.
Mom wanted the money for the ‘family’ but grandma knew it would have gone
to fuel her habit.
“Jalen can do ANYTHING he wants with the money,” grandma insisted,
thus ending the debate.
So he did.
Jalen walked over to the dumpster and handed the entire
amount to a woman he’d never met. He
explained with more maturity than most twenty-seven year olds, that it just
wasn’t right for someone starve when hunger could be prevented.
His grandparents understood how powerful it was for a boy to
give away the only money he’d ever seen.
Sadly, Jolene never did.
Jalen paid dearly for his actions that night by the wrath
of an addict who hadn’t scored. But to
him, every bruise was worth it.
Jesus taught that in reality, we are all poor. We’ve all felt “hungry,” that is,
unfulfilled, uncertain about life’s purpose?
Who hasn’t been exhausted by the day’s work or by life itself?
The most fruitful works flow from a heart of inclusive love heightened
by understanding one’s own poverty.
Here I am Lord, accept my poverty, hide my
sin in your wounds, wash them away with Your blood. Allow me to trust in Your goodness so that I too,
may become more capable of mercy, patience, forgiveness and love. Amen
