On the way home recently while waiting for a connecting bus, I heard a mother tell her children they had to go to bed when they got home. It was because there was nothing for them to eat.
Later, the same day while reading at poolside, two young men approached me. They were selling a cleaning product. They told me about their product and its price.
Noting that I wasn't responding as quickly or as favorably as they would like, they offered me the product for half the asking price. They needed to make a sale to have money to eat.
While walking earlier today, I passed the Plasma Center where people go to trade blood plasma for cash. 15 people sat lined up in front of the door just after 6 AM and it would not open until 9 AM. There were 12 men and 3 women; whites, blacks, and browns.
A mile later into the walk, it was necessary to walk through a group of teens on the sidewalk while waiting for their bus. The first group was all girls, who were making no way for me to pass even though I was acknowledging them. A second larger group of girls and boys made a hole for me to walk through as they all greeted me.
Too many adults are quick to judge teens and box them in negative contexts. Literally, many teens only produce what they have seen.
Where they get no respect, they shown none. Teens are people too. They are just trying to figure out life like everybody else. Show teens the respect they deserve from adults and they will be much more likely to show some.
Life is a struggle for all people all the time both physically and emotionally. Even in the good times; the wealthy and well off get cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and HIV. They get shot. Their kids commit suicide. Their loved ones leave them for others. Life comes with no guarantees.
What the wealthy and well off do not worry about is where they will live from one month to the next, where money will come from, where they can go to get access to health care, clothes, transportation and food. These are not things about which they must worry.
People who live without the things that are necessary for life struggle everyday for even basic necessities. Stock market crashes and a hungry stomach knows no difference. People who live without things that are necessary for life wonder if anyone cares.
How will they eat today? What will happen if they get sick or can't get their kids to the doctor or school? Will the state try to take their children? Does anybody care?
Young people need to know they are loved, appreciated and respected. Take time to talk to a young person. You might start with your own and then others.
People who can neither house, feed, or otherwise provide for themselves desperately need access to immediate resources. Second, to that, they need access to opportunity to provide for themselves.
For all of you who have a heart to help people in need, after helping them meet their immediate need; always, always, always point them to opportunity for their development. Provide information for access to work and service opportunities to help them earn their dignity back.
Now you see what I absolutely hear people saying when I walk, ride the bus, take the train or listen at church, libraries or restaurants. A lot of people are having a really tough time managing for themselves.
If you know an individual or a family in need of food, Help in the East Valley can refer them to places to get access to food. If you know an individual or a family in need of work or housing, Help in the East Valley can refer them to places for work and housing.
Does anybody care? Help in the East Valley Cares and we are not alone. Call 480 - 464 - 1300, Ext. 248.
May God Bless you and keep you, make his face to shine upon you and always give you peace. Amen
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| Oscar and Bonnie Crawford |
Help in the East Valley is a service of Oscar Crawford Christian Media.
