I’m sitting in a coffee shop and overhear a conversation next to me. I heard the words “homeless” and “poor” so I decided to listen in a little bit. What I heard encouraged me and dismayed me.
In a nutshell, the conversation was a man explaining to his friends how he likes to spend his time sitting with the homeless and bringing them food. He then told his friends, “The homeless are my Africa, because they’re just as poor.”
This stirs up a few feelings in me. Part of me applauds the man and I’m thankful for his desire to meet real and tangible needs. I’m easily overwhelmed by that need and find myself paralyzed into inaction. This man is doing a good work that is much needed and I’m grateful he has accepted such a challenge.
But a different part of me is frustrated by his statement. No doubt he truly means it; but to compare America’s poor and homeless to the situations of people living in Africa is just painful. (Side note: the decor in this coffee shop is pictures of Kenyan orphans. I’m just sayin’.) By no means am I an expert in American homelessness or in African life. But I do know this: American poor can find clean water. American poor can get help from the government (though it is woefully inadequate). There is help available for the American homeless, even if it is insufficient.
I don’t intend to ride a high horse in this case; I don’t pretend to be deeply involved in EITHER situation.
What frustrates me is that this man has created an unfair comparison in his head and is sharing it with his friends. I doubt that he has created this statement “The homeless are my Africa, because they’re just as poor” in order to impress people or validate what he does. It is just a simple, catchy phrase I expect he has used before and is now comfortable with. But it makes me sad that we NEED to compare; I’m dismayed at how easily we put things beside each other for the sake of simplicity. Why justify your passion for the homeless by comparing it to another need that is NOT comparable?
I guess what this raises for me are the questions, “What are my ‘sayings’ that I haven’t really thought through? How am I being careless with my words?”
Be careful what you say.
wow! thank u for the article, very well written I am add . . .
ReplyDeleteThank you for the challenge and I too will watch my careless sayings.
hugz
Debbie
Hmmm, an interesting take on an overheard comment.... I think it would have been cool for you to ask him from where he was coming... My guess is that he HAS thought much about his "ministry" and in his mind, thoughts and calling to those here, they are as poor as those he speaks of in Africa.... not all are called to Africa.
ReplyDeleteAnother thought... perhaps he was speaking of poor in the eternal system... poor in spirit.... not knowing Jesus. If this were true, then his statement is completely right on the money (no pun intended) and he is simply giving the "poor in spirit" or the "spiritually parched" a water that will quench an eternity of thirst.
Good to ponder....thanks!!