The least of them

Matthew 25:45

King James Bible
Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

I'm not sure how people can manage to walk by the homeless day after day and not stop to ask "How did you arrive here?"

How can you see someone alone in jail with no family and not wonder "What family did you have?" and "Why are you alone?"

Its very convenient to create a label for people and assume that we know what happened.....But we really have no idea. We don't know how that person arrived. The next time you see someone and "think" that you know how they arrived at their station in life, reach out....ask them and see if YOU can serve them.

Saving the world

Can it be done? Will we ever accept that we are all children of God? We are all alike no matter how we try to divide ourselves. I know a woman I will call C whom I admire a great deal. She yearns to save the world. Her choice was to adopt a baby born addicted to drugs and raise him as her own. She has struggled a great deal. He has issues inherited from his birth mother which make him more difficult than the average child. Yet C still strives. She is responsible. She is a respected professional. This adoption was her way of making the world better. I ask myself if I could do more.

I was drawn to the legal profession because of the ability to affect change and help people. I am drawn to the marginalized people in our world. Those in jail ,mentally ill, poor, elderly or disabled. My clients are not people you would ordinarily invite to cocktail parties. I try to help those that I can. But what of the ones I cannot help? I sometimes feel guilty that I don't do more but then I remember my first duty to my husband and daughter. I sometimes feel as though I've been superficial if I turn someone away. But I am reminded to take care of myself too. That is the hardest thing to remember.

I know now why priests and nuns do not marry. They give everything they are to their flocks. I am not so disciplined. I need my family and am grateful to retreat to them when the world seems harsh. My home is my sanctuary. Create a sanctuary for yourself so that you can lift others up when called upon. For you will be called. Will you hear the calling?

A new experience

Be not the slave of your own past. Plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep and swim far, so you shall come back with self-respect, with new power, with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you are reading this blog, it is very likely that you own a computer and have a college degree or two. You are most likely in the top 25% of American society in both education and income. Believe it or not you have advanced experiences above and beyond 75% of our society. Think about that for a moment.You have advantages and opportunities that other people will never have. As you drive down the street,remember that your life has been a gift and that you have something to offer to someone else.... You can offer your time and your encouragement.
I took on the task of chairing the Area IV Special Olympics at age 26. I was a member of the Chattanooga Jaycees and this was one of our service projects. I had no exposure to special needs individuals before that event. I did not know what I was doing but somehow managed to lead a team of 8 people in collecting toys and food for over 400 people. We fed volunteers, organized sports and gave out awards. Although I have been volunteering for non profit charities for over 20 years, this event was one of the most memorable. The participants were so happy to be there. They plunged past their fears. I plunged past mine. Choose a new experience . You won't regret it.

For whom the bell tolls

Creating divisions between us serves no purpose/Creating labels and boxes is convenient but pointless and toxic

"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee..." John Donne-
Meditation 17


We are all the same and labeling people as bad or irresponsible serves no purpose other than to make some people feel better about themselves in some strange way. Although you may disagree with how someone chooses to live their life,we are only men and not the final Judge.
Rather than criticize......why not ask how to help or assist. Is your neighbor's yard a mess? Go help them clean it. Everyone is not equipped with the same abilities or even priorities. If you resent the fact that you keep your yard nice and they don't, then ask yourself WHY you are so angry? Stand in their shoes if only for a moment..........
In 1990, I volunteered to help Catholic Social Services to help a Vietnamese family get acclimated to American culture in Chattanooga. The family of 7 lived in a one bedroom apartment in the upstairs of an old house and all worked together sewing lace on socks since they were paid by the piece. Neighbors complained about the smell of their food and the number of people in the home. The Nuygens had different priorities. They lived modestly and pooled their money to buy a car. Then they could drive to better paying jobs. They pooled their money again and bought a modest home. They learned English. They pay their taxes and contribute to our society. The children are now attending college. They are living the American dream through hard work.
Most people will work given the chance. Those who don't have never been taught how. Take the time to teach someone even if its just one person. You will create a ripple effect that makes the world better. Your world.