Some things in my past I’d love to forget. Others I pray to never forget. A list of the former would take too long & my reputation has been tarnished enough after my birthday party. Of the latter, here are a few I hope to remember:
* How $20 feels when you’re broke: Money was not something I missed as a kid – we never had it. A neighbor asked my step-brother & me to mow her lawn & adjacent vacant lot, home to legendary football games. We assumed cutting grass was for using the lot – getting paid never entered our minds. When she handed us $20 each, we were stunned. It’s been 47 years & I still feel the thrill of buying new tennis shoes I knew mom couldn’t afford. Things are different now; $20 won’t impact my life, but I encounter people for whom $20 makes a difference. My prayer is for God to remind me of that feeling in 1963 & share it with others.
* How food tastes when you’re hungry: The last time I went an entire day without food was for medical reasons. I knew I’d have food in a few hours; I knew I’d get what I wanted; I knew I felt only psychological craving; but, I remember ‘hungry.’ Food has become like air – it’s just there & little thought of appreciation is given. In the midst of thriving NW AR – in the most prosperous nation on earth – there are people who are truly hungry. Whether through our soup kitchen & benevolent work or buying a homeless person a burger or sending monies to families forced to eat from a city dump in Honduras, my prayer is for God to remind me of how good food tastes when you’re hungry & will give me opportunities to share that feeling in others.
* How friends help when you’re lonely: I’ve been alone & I’ve been lonely & I’ve been both. It’s no fun. My prayer is for God to remind me of this each time a guest walks in on Sunday morning. Someone has come on purpose to a strange building full of strangers – that takes courage. What prompted their decision? Many times it’s as simple as seeking friendship.
In these & all areas I need help, Lord, remember I’m human and humans forget, so remind me, remind me dear Lord!
Good stuff Jackie. In my truck I keep my ‘steel toed’ work boots, circa 1999, from working 2nd shift for $6.07 an hour in a metal box in the summer (105 degrees in the breakroom for 10:00 PM, yes PM, break) while my new born and my 2 1/2 yr. old and wife slept on the floor of my parent’s house underneath a window air unit to remind me of, well, to remind me of a lot of things (one of which has been sleeping in a makeshift guest room for 2 years now). These reminders make it easy for me to help the Aarons, Jerrys and James’ of the world — I have been very close to where they are, close enough to see down the side of the mountain where some have already slipped and are clawing their way back up. God Bless you every one.