So yesterdays home schooling/family lesson was on "Have I done any good in the world today" and "Loving our neighbors as ourselves". Anyone who knows Darrell knows that he is drawn to homeless people, befriends them regularly and gives them gloves, conversation, a hot meal or a hug. Many people avoid situations that make them uncomfortable or where they feel there might be some dishonesty or deception. While those are risks you run in dealing with the homeless our take has always been even if their whole story is a lie... if you did a kind service or sacrificed a few cents or dollars on an item they might need the world is still better off. We choose not to give money but service or food or necessity items. We want our kids to know that the world certainly has bad news, scary things and evil influences but it is also filled with good people who can make a difference by doing something small. The opportunities certainly aren't limited to homeless people, we are surrounded by people every day that need love, support and kindness.
Darrell regularly speaks to a particular homeless woman in downtown SLC. On Tuesday he found her in her usual spot but beat to a pulp. A group that was drunk beat her up for the change she collected, got arrested and then came back and beat her up again for getting them in trouble. She did get treated at the hospital, then dumped back on the street and told to keep her wounds clean (like that is even possible). Her story is that she grew up in the foster system, abused, raped and dumped on the street at 18 with no money or skills and basically no education. She has 2 children ages 9 and 12. They go to school and each day while she tries to collect enough money to rent them a place to sleep and enough food to get them through another day. She has no job, no references, no valid ID and no worthy work history to get her a good job. Now this could all be not true but when it really comes down to it, does it matter? Clearly she is a person in need. So we went as a family to dress her wounds, take her some medical and personal supplies, a hot meal and some items for her children, gave her hugs and a picture of Christ hugging a woman with a quote that was very fitting and touching about trials and never being alone. She didn't once ask for money. She cried with gratitude for the fact that we treated her as "human", something foreign to her in her life. She was gracious and kind and we benefited from her far more than she did from us. She told us on Tuesday she was ready to give up. 37 yrs of hard knocks, beat to a pulp, no food, no money, no future and no way to take care of the only thing she has in this world, her children. Today she has a place to stay thanks to some social workers who also visited her yesterday, food in her belly, gifts for her children and supplies to take care of herself for a while. She was full of hope, happier than anyone I've ever seen and grateful beyond words.
I don't share this for our benefit but to remind everyone that there is much we can do to make a difference to others. I challenge everyone to open a door for someone, help your neighbor carry in her groceries, give someone a ride, be a friend or a support in a moment of need, compliment someone who is having a bad day and look for moments to make a difference. Write a nice note for your waiter or waitress saying you appreciated their service. The world is full of opportunities that take little effort or time but can make a huge impact in someone else's life. Do some good in the world today and every day!
And in case you are wondering if it's really worth while......this is what our kids said they learned from the experience. Remember actions speak louder than words!
This is what they said. No one is better than anyone else. We can make a big difference by doing small things. Service fills your heart with joy. God uses other people to answer prayers and being one of his tools is an incredible feeling. Even the strongest, most blessed people have moments of trial and weakness when they need support. Life as we know it is pretty darn awesome. People who have had a really hard, challenging life can be full of love and gratitude. All people deserve to be hugged, loved and to have basic needs met. Life is not fair or easy but we can make a difference by doing the smallest thing. We should share our blessings with others. God put is here on earth at the same time for a reason. We need each other. Love can be unconditional. Acts of kindness make the world a better place. There is incredible Joy and Peace to be found in doing something kind for another Child of God and that is what we all are! We don't have to avoid uncomfortable or sad things or worry about what is true or not true, trust your gut, listen to your heart and make a difference when you can. We take too many things for granted and need to count our blessings every single day. Something as small as a toothbrush and tooth paste can bring a person joy if you are humble enough to recognize what a blessing it is. Most of our problems are "1st world problems", if you haven't watched that You tube video you should! Love and gratitude can be found even in the worst of circumstances. It is easy to separate ourselves from others because our circumstances or lives are so different but the reality is we are all brothers and sisters here on this earth learning and experiencing our own trials.
We left the experience better people than we were going into it. Emily said doing something little for someone in need makes you feel like you are surrounded by Angels so we should do it every chance we get! Amen, Emily! So I ask, "Have you done any good in the world today?"
Thank you, Vicki, to you and your sweet family, for sharing your experience with us.
