On Sunday a young girl came to our door holding a gorgeous puppy, asking us to take her. The young girl’s family found the puppy the other day and weren’t able to keep her. She was going door to door to find it a home. Everything in me screamed that we should take this puppy – the answer to our life’s problems. A puppy will solve everything!
However, under our current rental contract we aren’t allowed animals. (We’re thinking hamsters don’t count) Emma gave me the look of despair, the pleading eyes, and the dreaded if-you-give-me-this-animal-I’ll-never-ask-for-another-thing-in-all-my-life face and I didn’t know what to do. The puppy was cute.
The young girl gave us the run-down for everything we’d need if we intended to be dog owners and waited, hoping we’d say yes. I wanted the puppy but I didn’t think we could do it. So, in a frustration of emotions I told Emma to go with the girl and help find it a new home. She agreed. They set off around the neighborhood trying to give this cute puppy away – came back once to no avail and I sent them out again. An hour or so later, Emma and the girl had found a home. One of our neighbors took the puppy – were thrilled to get such a cute dog to take care of.
That evening Emma cried – because she’s ready for us to build our house, and she’s ready for a puppy. I assured her it wouldn’t be much longer. I hope I spoke the truth! But I’m proud she helped rescue a dog. I told her she’s like “Go Diego Go” and is now a bonafide animal rescuer … let’s hope that she doesn’t start bringing all the strays in.
I saw a part of her personality blossom. I have a feeling she’ll always be one of those girls who takes in strays and helps wounded animals, and finds homes for them.
A few days ago, I went to a neighbor’s house to chat and hang out. I hadn’t been there before, but their kids play with mine in the plaza and I really like the mom. Whilst chatting, the truth came out – they’re dirt broke and don’t know how they’re going to make it. They have many children and his job changed a while back and she can’t find work. They aren’t making ends meet. My heart tore right down the middle. They don’t have wood yet for the winter and can’t afford to buy it, and they live day-by-day.
I remember day-by-day as a kid, and it’s a scary world – not having enough. My mind and heart moved quickly. I called Rodrigo who happened to be in the store and asked him to buy a few things for us to give them, but it’s not enough. We have to do more.
Back in the States I would have encouraged her to sign up for Wic or get some food stamps, I would have told her about my church’s benevolent fund – and yes, I would have given something, but there’s a net of support back at home that would help that woman and her family … it’s not the same here.
I talked about it with Rodrigo – about how unfair it seems to me. Where’s the net? Where are the programs that could honestly help a hard-working family in hard times? Those are important questions, but right now, it doesn’t matter. My questions aren’t going to help that family right now. I talked to God about it later that day, “What are they going to do? Where’s the program to help this family?” And do you know how God answered me?
He spoke real quiet into my heart and said, “You are.”
It’s true. God put us in this neighborhood for this time and we are responsible to love and care for those around us. We are the program.
How many times as a kid did we receive money and boxes of food from people who cared about us? Checks written without the givers name – to remain anonymous. We received gift certificates to Safeway and Christmas presents on our front steps on Christmas morning. Goodness’ gracious, the church even helped my mom buy a car when I wrecked our other one. Generosity overflowing – my whole life.
“To whom much has been given … much is required.”
The trick is how to give without embarrassing them and making it a big deal. People have their integrity and their dignity and these are people with pride who don’t beg for money or handouts. I could use your prayers in this regard.
These are the small events of my world … my daughter and her puppy, and me learning, being reminded to see people and hear their cry and do what I can to ease the load. Solidarity. Be a good neighbor. I’m not called to rescue these people the way Emma rescued the puppy. We’re not talking about being Superman or Wonder Woman here. I’m called to be friend and lend a hand, and give generously from my heart.
Tell me about the bits and pieces from your life …
Much Love,
Tina
Beautiful – simply beautiful. Thank you for listening and loving well. I’m so proud of Emma too…pass the kleenex.
xo
Thanks, my dear friend.
Somos los pies, las manos, los ojos, los oídos y aún el corazón de Cristo, la misericordia que Dios tiene por el hombre es manifiesta cuando fungimos como instrumentos suyos y podemos tender la mano al necesitado… No debemos olvidar que la más grande necesidad de todo ser humano es Cristo quién nos ha enseñado que la fe sin obras es muerta, ustedes están donde Dios quiere, que bendición!!
Precious girl, love this. Anything I would write in response to your well-penned story would sound dismal because of the current nature of our efforts to help out someone. And because we live here and there are so many ‘helps’, she has a mentality of sucking and taking any and everything available. This poses an entirely different set of issues from yours, ones that are so hard to navigate and hold up proper boundaries to. Two totally different ends of the spectrum. Except to my reading eyes, yours sounds much more appealing and simple to me at the moment. (which is probably only testimony to how overwhelmed I am with what we are in the midst of- because I know they are both SO HARD!)
I think your situation is harder because of expectations. The entitlement syndrome sucks life out of us and we can’t meet people’s needs – we can help, but we can’t be their answer and I think certain people want us to be the answer and we have to lovingly disappoint them, so that they have the opportunity to find the answer – the real ANSWER, and the real Help.
My neighbor would never dream of expecting me to do something, and that sets my hand free to give …
I’ll pray for wisdom.
Miss you,
Tina
Lovingly disappoint. That’s exactly it. Certainly not fun. But indeed that is ultimately the only solution to life’s brokenness, to find your way to the only one who will never let you down, whose love never runs out, never gives up.
Miss you too, very much,
K