There by the Grace of God

There by the grace of God…
As I was coming home midmorning after a doctor’s appointment there was a couple from Latin America in the street at the bottom of our driveway. They were collecting bottles and cans. Unfortunately, the containers out on the street were the blue ones- paper and plastics recycling. The likelihood of finding the five cent returnable treasures was pretty slim in the recycle bins of the Gray House. The majority of those who staff some of the programs are neighbors who volunteer their services and receive from the thrift shop, food pantry as well as the other programs depending on need. If there are any returnable cans or bottles it is most likely that they will be collected by someone who spends their day in service to the Gray House. I could see the disappointment on the man’s face as he opened a few of the bins to see they were filled with boxes.
I’m a diet soda addict. I keep a bag in the trunk of my car for the empties. Usually I donate these collectables to Jane for Homework House. Seeing the disappointing look on this couple’s faces, I knew that the bag had to go somewhere else this time. I retrieved the bag from the trunk of my car and offered it to them. They took it gratefully and thank me several times. There wasn’t more than two dollars worth of bottles and cans in that bag, but to them it clearly made a difference.
I also began to think about this encounter in a couple of ways. The first was that we made a connection, if even for a few moments. The couple didn’t have to pick out of the trash, I asked them if they wanted it and I handed it to them as well as thanked them for taking it for me. There was dignity in this exchange.
Upon more reflection I remembered an experience I had when teaching high school sophomores about fifteen years ago. It was Thanksgiving time. There were classroom collections for food. Discussions about being poor and how some could end up homeless or exceedingly needy by just a few misfortunes, such as a parent losing their job or an illness were major topic. One bright young woman, from a financially secure family was very adamant that her parents would never allow the family to ever end up in a needy situation, nor would any of her classmates have to experience what we were discussing. It was great that she felt so secure in her family and community. She didn’t know however that one of her classmates, a popular athlete, was experiencing exactly what we were talking about. His mother had just had to apply for food stamps as they were referred to at that time to feed her son. Their single parent income just couldn’t make ends meet. She also didn’t know that there was a family with three siblings whose school breakfasts and lunches were their main meals Monday through Friday. When our principal found out about how these students needed to scrounge for food every week-end, she would have the kitchen staff pack up all the leftover lunch food from the week for these children to take home.
I felt a learning situation coming up. The next day when the students came to class they were divided into group. One group had a breakfast of donuts, fruit and juice. Another group had fruit and juice, the third fruit and the last group which was the largest had to share two rolls left over from dinner. There were many reactions. The secure young woman ended up in the group with the rolls. She wasn’t very happy. Some students made the best of the experience. In follow-up discussion, I explained how each group represented a section of the world population from the wealthy to the developing nations. It was an eye opening for many of the students. My previously very verbal student still held to her security that this could never happen to her family and friends.
How does this go with my experience of the couple collecting cans and bottles this morning? Perhaps they never thought they’d be supplementing their income by going through the trash on the streets. I began to think about the fact that I am probably never going to have to go through someone else’s trash to get my needs met. I realized this afternoon that I’m a lot more like that young woman without realizing it. My family (religious community) will never be in a situation where my sisters and I will be out collecting cans and bottles or other necessities for daily living. At least I like my young student believe that those responsible for us will make the decision necessary to keep us from having to experience what truly being poor is. My parents were hard working individuals who rarely bought something on credit that they didn’t have the money for in the bank. They never let my brothers, sister or I feel that we were poor. We always had what we needed, not always what we wanted. I know a great deal about the poor and poverty. I do not know what it to really be poor or to have to struggle to survive from day to day.
There by the grace of God go I… may I be grateful for all that I have, not taking for granted those things that I rarely think about because I am cared for so well. May I use the gifts and talents I have for the good of all I journey with on the streets, at work, in our house and in those moments of prayer in gratitude for all that I am gifted with in life. May God’s grace go wherever we all go.