Dirt Poor, Rich Spirit

“Give generously to the poor; the Lord will bless you beyond measure." ~ Deuteronomy 15:10

At 23, Brenda didn't have much to show for her good cheer. No car. No savings. No story-book vacation anytime soon. In spite of that, in spite of everything, her’s was a place in the universe as pure as freshly fallen snow.

As Christmas approached, Brenda-the-all-night-truck-stop waitress moseyed to work strangely content in the sunset’s dimming light. She loved her job; these were her kind of people. They were among society’s poorer folk, especially when compared to doctors, fire fighters and factory workers. Brenda didn't just wait on them at the Diner for minimum wage plus tips. She served up a wealth of good cheer . . . in ways that only a Creator could give someone poor in pocket, but rich in spirit.

Ninety minutes into her 12-hour shift, a family of four entered the Diner. She’d not seen them before. They must have been either lost or perhaps part of the growing class of ‘nouveau-poor.’ Brenda guessed the latter because they seemed uneasy; perhaps a bit ashamed, possibly shaken by one of life’s dreadful twists.

Jason, his wife Yvonne and their children took a seat at a booth in the corner. Jason had lost his $125,000-a-year job as an IT Manager. Yvonne had until recently, chosen to be a stay-at-home Mom. She’d been forced to take a job at Burger Barn to cover the cost of groceries. The emotional strain on the children was taking its toll. Though he and Yvonne discussed their problems in whispers, ‘eagle ears’ didn’t miss much.

Tonight was special – Matthias’ 7th birthday, and although money was tight, they were splurging at the local Diner to celebrate. By ordering two meals and sharing them, they’d have money left over for a tasty desert.

Brenda picked up on their situation immediately. Frugality was no mystery to her having grown up in a large, single parent household. There’d always been food on the table, mostly pastas and chicken. She’d learned that not only was it okay to be poor, it was even a "blessing." After all, didn’t the Bible say that it was harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle?

So she doubled their order. “This one’s on me,” she told the Diner’s owner.

When she placed four hearty meals on the table, she explained that there had been a mistake in the kitchen. “Tonight will have to be on us!” she said with contrition. “And by the way, I heard this is a special night. So chocolate cake with ice cream is on the house too. Sorry for the confusion, and happy birthday young man!”

Dear Lord, we lift up to you the poor and the discarded. We know that You are a God whose heart cries out for justice; that You are a God who longs to help those oppressed. We ask simply, Lord, that you give us Your heart.  Amen