One morning not long ago I was complaining to Harriet, my work-desk mate about the things I had asked of, but had not received from God. I was frustrated that at my age, I was still holding out for more money in the bank and better health.
Harriet is not a complainer, she finds good in what is happening now. It seems when Harriet looks back on her life, it’s not with criticism, but with understanding that all those things that seemed like mistakes were simply learning curves. I always feel like there should be more, but for Harriet, there is enough.
“You know it’s going to be all right,” she tells me.
“Ask and you shall receive,” I tell her. “I did that, but where is the good?”
“Well, then sit back and receive,” Harriet says.
It sounds so simple. But I want to do something to make good things come faster. How can I just sit back and receive?
I know better than to complain. It won’t help and Harriet will lecture me about the people who crossed the dessert with Moses. We all know the world of misery they experienced for their unbelief.
On went the day at our shared reception desk as Harriet and I answered myriad calls for our Detroit Area Agency on Aging. The calls are frequent and varied, but most days they are requests for the senior services we offer such as transportation, help with a water bill; help navigating Medicare and other insurance programs; and signing up for Meals on Wheels.
This particular day a man who said he was in his seventies called and told me in a hushed voice that he was homeless and had nowhere to go. He had no money and no food. “I’m hungry Miss, can you help me?” he politely asks. ”I haven’t had any food for two days.”
My heart sinks. I choke at the thought of this man’s hunger pains. My mothering instincts kick-in and I start to tell him what little I know. I give him directions and the phone number to one of our sister organizations, St. Patrick’s Senior Center on Parsons street. They have food, clothing and shelter for those in the community who find themselves in a rough patch.
“Oh, thank you Miss, I’m so grateful,” he tells me, and says he thinks he can find a way there.
As my phone line fills up with incoming calls, I must let him go. I say a prayer with him for his sustenance and safety and reluctantly pass him along to another of our departments to help find housing.
The seconds continue to tick, despite the contrast of my life and the hungry gentleman’s life. Throughout that day I couldn’t get my mind off this homeless man who was still grateful for help and a little compassion. He crossed my path when I needed a reminder that in this physical world we all need help from time to time.
I had asked for more ease and more goodness in my life. Matthew 7:7,8 tells us, you shall receive. When I felt the loss in this man’s soul, the light of his appreciation reflected the good in my life. Through his appreciation came a thread for me to follow to my own good things.
I took account of my blessings: two healthy, gainfully employed children with graduate degrees; a lovely canal outside my door where geese and ducks meander to the lake; a partner who loves me. I may not be 100 percent healthy, but I am at work today, standing up and walking around as needed.
During this holiday time I will be able celebrate with the two good friends that hung on with me. And I have a beautiful three-year-old grandbaby who I will teach Turkey Stuffing and Life Shortcuts 101.
In musing of all my goodness I can’t help but wonder about the hungry gentleman. Where will he be for Thanksgiving and Christmas? How many others are out there lonely and without provisions? I feel better doing something when I can, so when there are a few extra dollars in my budget, I will appreciate programs like St. Pat’s and DAAA’s Meals on Wheels by tucking that little bit of money in the donation canister to help someone less fortunate than I. And I remember that I asked and already received.
Author: C.L. Lombardo (this blog post are the opinions expressed by the author and represent her own views and not those of DAAA).
If you’d like to make a donation to our Holiday Meals on Wheels Campaign, please go here: www.DetroitSeniorSolution.com/donate
#SHARETHELOVE #DAAA
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