I saw the good Samaritan (and then I proceeded to kick him in the knee cap)
I'm confused. I was driving home from an Ultimate game the other night on the highway and the guy in the SUV in front of me lost control, slammed into the cement wall on the side, and finally skidded to a stop rebounding off of the wall the whole way. I managed to switch lanes in time to avoid him fortunately, but then continued on my way. I guess no one has ever told me what to do when you see an accident like this unfold in front of you. Are you suppose to pull over and offer help? What help could a 25 year old girl be anyways? I've taken tons of classes in the military about helping the wounded, but would I really remember all of that when it was most critical? Or are you suppose to call 911? I did pull out my phone and kept an eye on my rearview mirror, but by the time I started dialing the digits I noticed another car pull over and figured they probably were better equipped to handle the situation. Looking back, I realize that the proper action would have been for me to pull over and call the police and I regret not taking that initiative. I think at that time though, phrases such as "don't approach a wrecked vehicle" and be careful to "never stop on the shoulder of a highway" resignated through my mind and caused the hesitancy. And for that I feel horrible.
Once I was walking through the Chicago city streets and approached a homeless guy asking for money and handouts. I kept walking with little or no response and then felt completely wrong. I had chose to listen more to the inner voice of my parents warning me to never give to someone begging cause that would encourage them to follow me, than the inner voice of conviction telling me to give what I have because it really isn't mine anyways. And for that I feel horrible. One of my closest friends and I have had many discussions....well arguments really... on how to handle the homeless people we pass on the way to our Ultimate games. There's this big part of me that just really wants to give them all of my extra cash. His perspective is that the homeless guy is just desperate for his next high and giving money would be just fueling that addiction. To me right now, that just seems too much like an excuse to keep a thick wallet. Isn't the homeless person the one who will ultimately be held accountable for how he spends the money? For me, I will be held accountable before God on whether I ignored the homeless and continued on my way, or whether I truly took what Paul has said to heart and gave to the needy.
If I were to guess, I would imagine most of us living in this "keep what you've earned for yourself" society are confused on how to handle similar situations. Do we just keep walking when we see someone in need because our parents told us not to talk to strangers and because we think giving homeless people money just helps them buy more booze? Or do we help according to our resources and ability? Do we keep driving past the accident that we just saw unfold before our eyes, grateful that we weren't involved, or should we actually stop and take the time to get involved? I was raised in white suburbia so I tend to keep walking and to keep driving. As I grow mature in faith though, I really hope that my life shifts to reflect that of the good Samaritan, who will take a moment of time to offer roadside assistance or a few extra bucks that I would have spent on a latte that I didn't need anyways.
Once I was walking through the Chicago city streets and approached a homeless guy asking for money and handouts. I kept walking with little or no response and then felt completely wrong. I had chose to listen more to the inner voice of my parents warning me to never give to someone begging cause that would encourage them to follow me, than the inner voice of conviction telling me to give what I have because it really isn't mine anyways. And for that I feel horrible. One of my closest friends and I have had many discussions....well arguments really... on how to handle the homeless people we pass on the way to our Ultimate games. There's this big part of me that just really wants to give them all of my extra cash. His perspective is that the homeless guy is just desperate for his next high and giving money would be just fueling that addiction. To me right now, that just seems too much like an excuse to keep a thick wallet. Isn't the homeless person the one who will ultimately be held accountable for how he spends the money? For me, I will be held accountable before God on whether I ignored the homeless and continued on my way, or whether I truly took what Paul has said to heart and gave to the needy.
If I were to guess, I would imagine most of us living in this "keep what you've earned for yourself" society are confused on how to handle similar situations. Do we just keep walking when we see someone in need because our parents told us not to talk to strangers and because we think giving homeless people money just helps them buy more booze? Or do we help according to our resources and ability? Do we keep driving past the accident that we just saw unfold before our eyes, grateful that we weren't involved, or should we actually stop and take the time to get involved? I was raised in white suburbia so I tend to keep walking and to keep driving. As I grow mature in faith though, I really hope that my life shifts to reflect that of the good Samaritan, who will take a moment of time to offer roadside assistance or a few extra bucks that I would have spent on a latte that I didn't need anyways.
posted by carlymarie | 3:12 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home