It was a touching experience watching the children discover that all the beautifully wrapped presents were for them. They could barely understand the language but they could completely understand the gesture. Their little faces were precious. Their eyes glistened with disbelief, surprise, and excitement. Their smiles could have warmed the coldest of hearts. Clearly, I received the better gift.
It all started a few weeks ago when hubby and I queried over what we could do to support children in our neighborhood whose parents work multiple jobs in an economic downturn to provide necessities for their families. We learned from the kind-hearted school counselor at our local elementary school that most of their students were not only new to our country but most didn’t have enough money for lunch.
So we got a shopping list from the school. Many of our dear friends said, “We’re in.” But we also wrote and mailed letters to people on our block and asked if they wanted to help. We thought it was a good idea to ask but never expected a response. After all, none of us really know each other. But a trusting handful said, “We’re in too.” They were cautious, but generous.
I’ve thought a lot about how I would have responded if I had received one of our letters. I’m ashamed to admit it but I probably would have trashed it.
When did I become so jaded? I know, personally, that charlatans and scam artists abound these days. But did a couple of car wrecks in my neighborhood last week cause me to stop driving? No. The green line derailed on Saturday and sent people to the hospital. Did that cause me to stop using the trains? Nope. I rode the blue line today. So why do I let a few unscrupulous folk cause me to miss some great opportunities to show love and care for others?
Good question.
I hope I have turned over a new leaf. Maybe it is time we stopped letting the charlatans and scam artists among us determine our philosophy of life – that you can’t really trust people and that there are really no “good deeds.” And maybe, because I have some really great friends and neighbors, there are some immigrant children who are developing a different philosophy of life in this country. Maybe in their formative years they are discovering that there are people they can trust and that there are people who do good because it is the right thing to do.
I still wish you could have seen their little faces.
Serving the Lord in Chicago 