Tuesday, February 20, 2007

a time to think

I was doing my usual reading of the blogs this morning. And i came across Arkay's blog entry called Catch a Wave. It made for some interesting reading. And i will tell you why.

Oklahoma City is a large city. There are many homeless here. I see them everyday and my heart goes out to them. But i do not know the answer. I do not know the1r story. I do not know how to help.

There is an Outback Steak House right near where i live - way too convenient to where i live. (well, it recently had a fire - but that is not important.) as i pulled in to pick up my order and head home, there was a couple walking in the parking lot. They waved at me like i knew them. Extremely friendly. i did not have enough time to really engage in conversation but ended up giving up my meal for that night. Not sure if that was the right thing to do but that is what i did.

well, i don't know. I wrestle with the issues too. I am not sure what is the right thing to do.



Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

Then the righteous will answer him, "Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?"

The King will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25: 34-40

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

C, You are a far better person than I. Just that one gesture put you ahead of nearly everyone.
I have struggled with your question, too.
(http://ackthbbbt.blogspot.com/2006/10/homeless-guy.html)
Every morning I imagined a conversation with the guy, but never could bring myself to actually SAY anything to him. And now, the guy doesn't show up anymore. So, I feel I've failed.

I'm glad you took the opportunity.

Arkay said...

What to do? I have given spare change to a few that looked really needy. But do we do it to better our conscience of feeling about ourselves or because we are good inside and want to help.

C-Man said...

Arkay - i don't know. i am glad you brought up the subject. i is hard to know what to do. life is so different in west michigan.

Roses - thanks. i wonder like arkay what was my motive.

Roses said...

*shrug*

A very sad part of me was worried that if I gave the guy a sandwich one day, he'd expect one the next day, too. And then, when do I stop having to pack two sandwiches in my lunch?