I Remember What Poverty Taught Me

I was very grateful to be able to take part in this day for poverty awareness. I have a story to tell that instantly came to mind when I heard about Blog Action Day.

I remember driving near a lake in my hometown and seeing a homeless couple sitting on a bench. It wasn't a normal evening. It was a very rainy day. Just imagine them sitting on that bench with one umbrella between them that was half broken. This truly struck a cord inside of me.

So I pulled over to a little distance away from them. I had grabbed my umbrella out of the back seat of my car, along with a face of a watch I kept with in my car that I cherished.

As I walked around the bend to meet them, I was shocked to see how many people literally drove by as if they did not exist. As I approached them, I said hello. They couldn't believe I was speaking to them. The man and woman where apprehensive and seem offended. To this day I don't remember what I said to them, but I handed them my umbrella and watch. They smiled and were genuinely grateful for the hand-me-down gifts they received. I asked them if I could buy them something to eat. They were once again leery to respond but shook their heads in acceptance.

So I went to the closest McDonald's and bought them both value meals. I remember being frustrated because the drive-thru line was pretty long. I did not want the couple to leave in disappointment. I rushed it back to them as soon as I could. When I handed them the food, I wish you could have seen the looks of surprise and gleam on their faces. It would have drowned your heart in tears as it did for me.

As we all shared smiles and love between strangers, I told them I loved them and I would be praying for them. When I left them that day I felt so full and grateful for what God had done for me that day.

Though I tried to meet with them again around that lake, I never saw them again. I still wonder if they are ok. Did they every get off the streets?

This wasn't just an act of kindness for me, it was where I could have been. You see, when I saw that homeless couple at the lake that day, I was driving my car and I had a job. But we had something very similar in common. As it was obvious that they were homeless, so was I. Just months earlier, I lost my place of residence and was living in my car.

As I remember, I felt guilty being able to eat and have some sort of shelter when I saw 'real', non-working, not-a-penny to their name homeless people. I literally loved them more than I loved myself.

From time to time, I'd be depressed about my situation. But thanks to God, He would remind me of the homeless couple and I would realize once again that I was truly blessed. I had no reason to be depressed. There were so many other people in worst conditions.

So I would not fall back into my selfishness, I would give to the 'real' homeless ones as much as I could and I still do today. It is the most fulfilling thing any human being can do for another.

Ultimately, God pulled me through it all and after 1 1/2 years of living in my car, I was able to find a place to live and the rest is history. But you all know what was really important, right?