Does the thought ever run through your head, "Why don't you help yourself?"
I am coming to a realization - an epiphany of sorts. I don't have to help someone who refuses to help themselves!
I know, I know, you think I have forgotten about Jesus' command to us as believers that we should follow the example of the Samaritan and broaden our view of not only what it means to help someone, but what our definition of 'neighbor' is. I get that. I help the helpless. One of my favorite past-times my senior year of college was going to downtown Jackson and giving out food and toiletries to homeless guys. My problem is not with helping people who truly have a need, who desperately need someone to come show them the love of Christ and give them a sandwich on the side...
My problem is with the bum on the street corner who yells at me because I don't have any money to give him. If a kid with Down Syndrome can get a job at McAlister's, I think a guy in a wheelchair has a sporting chance of holding down a job somewhere.
My problem is with the student in my classroom who sleeps or talks or doesn't pay attention in general EVERY DAY, and then expects me to jump to help them prepare for a test. How is it fair to give up the time I could spend with a legitimate student who has questions for the kid who didn't even bother to listen to me the first time?
I know I'm not perfect. I know I must love my neighbor - and I want to. I know I am called to serve others in any way I can. I do that, very imperfectly, but I do that. When will people wake up and see that there are more people in the world than themselves? When will students desire to be educated, instead of expect answers to be given to them?
Proverbs 4:1 - "Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding."
P.S. - We're having a little girl, and her name is going to be Abigail Isabella. I'm so excited!
