Here are a couple of pages from my Italy sketchbook, (above) a statue in stone, a tribute to one of our brothers, and (below) from a photo I snapped of the most exuberant beggar I’ve ever come across. (Click on the drawings for a larger view.)
I shouldn’t have been surprised with beggars on the streets, their hands out, or small cups, as we toured Rome, Florence and Venice. Actually there were fewer in Venice, that being an expensive place to live, and requiring a boat fare to get there. What I did find somewhat surprising, however, and a little disturbing, was how so few gave them any notice.
We tourists were there in throngs. Many of the places were like a crowded day at Disneyland. We didn’t mind. These cities are wonderful and it’s no surprise that so many have spent so much to get there, to stay in nice hotels, and lavish upon ourselves super great meals. It was all so worth it.
But how is it so few had anything to spare for those among us at the bottom of the ladder?
I’m not saying I did so well; but I tried to have at least something for maybe two-thirds of those I encountered (or encountered me). God knows if I’m exaggerating this; I might be. But, in fact, in the whole three weeks I only saw one person, a woman, double back and put a coin into a sidewalk beggar’s cup.
What’s with all the rest of us?
It’s not like we’re not rich. By comparison to this lot, we’re super-so. I don’t get it.
When we lived in Guatemala years ago I developed the habit of never going out without some coins in my pocket for such need. They’re just coins, sort of a nuisance in the pocket anyway, why not spare them? On this trip, there was a time or two the recipient would look into the cup for what I put in and be pretty unimpressed. I could judge his lack of gratitude, but I’m afraid his judgment of me would have better basis.
I know we get suspicious of these folk, think they’re somehow deceiving us, taking advantage of our naiveté. It may be so sometimes, but so be that. Let God be the judge.
One of the students from the art school we were traveling with mentioned how he had been prevailed upon for a hand out and wondered if he should have given . . . if he was only encouraging such lifestyle. I suggested to him that neither he, or any of us, would change these things by holding back. But sensing a hint of a soft heart on his part, the next morning I gave him a small handful of change and told him to give it away by the end of the day.
That night I saw him and asked how it went. He gave a few details, including some questionable characters, but it was all with a smile.
Maybe on God’s face, too.
As I thought about it later, it may be that God is putting change (or dollars, or very many dollars) into our hands, in part, to see how we might distribute at least some of it among the rest of his children.
It’s a thought.
_________
PS Not that it will have anything to do with the above subject, but I will be speaking this Sunday. That’s at Heritage Christian Fellowship in San Clemente, 9:00 and 11:00. All invited.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
2:14 pm
Wow, you struck a nerve today in me. How I have judged those asking for help, no matter the look of the “cover”. I say, they’re making more than me or why can’t they get a job. Even those who look truly destitute I rationalize that there are organizations that cater to these. I give to my church who gives to reputable organizations, that’s enough. My bad.
I may have missed many, many opportunities to allow the Lord to work through me. Even a glance or a word in love or a smile to rich or truly needy no matter, the Lord could use it for His Glory and to further His Kingdom.
Thank you Hyatt. I’ll try to carry something for all who ask and maybe for those I might see in need.
2:25 pm
Good wake up call for all of us, Hyatt. The world around us, especially here in the OC, is all about upward mobility. Jesus seemed to be implying downward mobility. Emptying ourselves enough to get to where the broken and hurting are has some solid benefits. Makes me now want to loosen up a bit on my loose change.
3:17 pm
As always, your words are worth the journey from screen to brain. Seldom do I read such terse and thoughtful insights. Thank you…. and keep sketching. They’re quite marvelous.
4:21 pm
In the Philippines for ministry, we were accompanied by a blind Korean singer, Kim Wicks. The traffic stopped and a beggar tapped at our window (common occurrence in that country). I gave the beggar some money when Kim asked, “What’s the stop for?” I told her. Immediately she said, “Wait! and reached in her purse thrusting the equivalent of about $10 USD toward me. “Here, give this to the beggar!” My initial reaction was, “Way too much money!” Driving on she said, “When I was in Korea, I would have starved if people had not given me money when I was begging!” I was reproved.
Kim’s story was that as a 4 year old in the Korean conflict, a US bomber flews close and the little girl who watched the bombs drifting to earth. When the flash from one of them blinded her, her father, not wanting to feed a blind child, took her and threw here in a river to drown. A kind neighbor, seeing the drama, pulled her out and took her to the Holt Orphanage. Adopted by a couple in the U.S. she was taken to a Billy Graham crusade and became a Christian. I’ve lost touch with her. But while I had “concern” she had compassion. There’s a difference. Even the ones who sit at the entrance to Costco begging have a story behind them. Better to give to someone unworthy than to turn away a hungry soul.
11:46 pm
Thank you so much, Hyatt, and those of you who have written comments. We (evangelical christians) tend to take a firm stand on moral issues, but we refuse to acknowledge the power money has over us. It seems that our hard currency robbes us of our tender hearts (I’m speaking as a Swiss citizen). Yeah, let us share what we have, as we follow Him who gave everything for us.
11:16 am
Hi,
I loved the sharing about Kim Wicks, and how
she had the heart to “pay it forward!”
Barbara M