Hitting Home

Some attend a Sunday church service, continually glance at their watch, catching bits and pieces of the sermon about compassion and the scripture's warning for those who choose the side of indifference. During the service, some might throw a wadded buck or two into the church basket while others may stop momentarily on the drive home to throw a handful of change at the man standing on the street corner. Sadly, some may even brag how they give to the poor.

While claiming poverty, churches collect ungodly sums of money, then pick and choose who they will assist. Some bask in the attention and glory of organizing galas only the rich can attend (while wearing clothes that could support the homeless for a month or two). Some put their children safely to bed at night and proceed to count their blessings after ignoring the pleas of another parent and child in need.

In my opinion, many who climb the ladder in life forget where they came from, while others may feel the little they can do may not make a difference and apathy sets in. Some act as if they do not see while glancing away or tuning their radio, as if tuning out makes the weary stranger non-existent. Some may even feel a superiority and get some satisfaction when looking down upon those who have hit the concrete with their knees.

While many are fortunate enough to have the basic securites every human should feel, it seems we fail to acknowledge how easily we could be kneeling next to the stranger who stares back from the coldness of the street corner. Sadly, we continue to ignore those sitting right in our backyards.

Poverty can quickly consume the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual health of the strongest of human beings - I know, for I am not too proud to tell you I have lived both the dream and the nightmare. Unfortunately time is not on the side of those in need.~ Kym L. Pasqualini