Last Saturday after my Sabbath School class I thought to myself that I should try to go to Cross Walk Church a couple of blocks away. While driving toward the church I felt the compulsion to go to the park and meditate instead. And so I thought I should swing by In-N-Out for a burger and fries…good for meditation. I did even though the line was long. As I was heading toward the park I thought of how my wife and I used to help street kids in Thailand. One thought led to the other. I was wondering what would it be like to get a chance to help a homeless person on Sabbath. And as I was thinking there he was, a very old man pushing an old bicycle. I thought to myself, but not today God. I waited too long at In-N-Out. Next time. I drove pass. And God spoke to me. I turned my car around, pulled in front of the old man and passed him my set lunch. His hand was shaking, his face wrinkled, his clothes unwashed. He could hardly say a word when I gave him the burger. But in his eyes I knew he was very thankful. As I drove away, I felt that to be a very special God moment for me. To be overwhelmed with the feeling of being in the presence of something Sacred was worth everything.
Every month I received a small amount of money for my supervision work. I used this money sometime to entertain myself…buying small electronic toys etc. and at other time I use it for charity. One of my students has been struggling financially trying to support his family but he never complained, never asked always presenting a very positive attitude. I thought Christmas must be hard for him. And so I slipped some money in an envelop and told the secretary to call but never to reveal my name. He came to the office wanted to know from whom but the secretary refused to tell. He left the office. Opened the envelop and came back to the office with tears in his eyes. He had a couple of dollars left in his saving and told his children that this Christmas was going to be difficult. When I heard this story, the first thought was that God do really knows us and what we are going through. God knows. This is such a soulful moment for me. I met God twice in a week and I could not have asked for more.
13 responses so far ↓
contaminatedperfection // December 22, 2007 at 4:37 pm
amazing life stories. those are what really counts. those stories are what gives meaning and makes life amazing. thanks for sharing
blessings.
sirojs // December 22, 2007 at 4:57 pm
thank you…it makes me wonder what we are willing to do to just be able to see God again and again and again. Wish you a merry Christmas.
Jamie // December 29, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Siroj,
I usually try to help out the homeless that I see on the street, and have even had lunch with one, but lately, I am finding that “I don’t have the time.” You reminded to me that I need to make the time. Thanks for the nudge back to the right direction.
sirojs // December 30, 2007 at 6:34 am
Yes, please continue to do so. I think there are those homeless that I may not wish to help and there are those that really need our help. What a wonderful thing you did, having lunch with them on a regular basis…this is just wonderful.
Crowmanic // January 4, 2008 at 4:50 am
I feel you have a “good” heart sirojs, so thanks for sharing, and the caring-enough to respond in accord to a deeper meaning.
(perhaps, the story needn’t mention the what/how much, just the fact that you did it
)
Thank you, and Be S.A.F.E.
sirojs // January 4, 2008 at 5:17 am
It is good to hear from you and appreciate your input. Good point. Lately I’ve been comtemplating more on the existential meaning of life, on the practical aspects. I think I sometime dwell too much on the academic and not being as closely in touch with the reality of people’s struggles as I should. Hope this year will initiate a change in this direction. How have you been and how is the New Year coming along for you?
Crowmanic // January 5, 2008 at 10:51 am
The New Year here in Adelaide Australia is hot, dry, and more hot. Most of Australia has had drought conditions for quite some time, and there is some serious water shortages, and water restrictions in place throughout many built-up, populated areas.
Apart from the consistent heat, I am fine, thank you, as I trust you and yours are… I enjoyed this article of yours as I have said.
As for the “spirit-led” Way of living (accentuated Self-awareness), it is difficult for people to know the differences between seeking recognition, acclaim, and what is known as “silent power”.
To help me with this, one of most favoured aphorisms is an Eastern saying that says, “A village is fortunate to have a Sage amongst its midst, and nobody knows who it is.”
sirojs // January 5, 2008 at 5:02 pm
The heat does not sound great. But the quote about the sage is really wonderful. I love it. It seems to me that is a very important aspect of the path of spirituality.
Crowmanic // January 6, 2008 at 12:23 am
An important for some, but not for many.
Julie // June 25, 2008 at 4:46 am
Many people think that the homeless and helpless are so because they choose to be…they are lazy and don’t want to work, they are alcoholics, they are addicts, etc. However, in taking many opportunities to not only offer food, but to offer conversation and compassion, I have found that there is such beauty in these thrown away people. I wish that people could come to see each other as human beings instead of putting them into categories of success and failure.
sirojs // June 25, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Julie, you are so right…one of my good friend is a senior pastor for skid row in LA and he made one very profound comment. He is a better person now that he has been working for the homeless people.
David // June 25, 2008 at 10:51 pm
It has always come to my attention that helping those that are in a state of neediness (e.g. disabled, handicap, or homeless) can bring you closer to God. When I was a child living in a large city in Northern California my father taught me many lessons that have aided me in becoming closer to God. These lessons have come to my attention because of an event that took place a few weeks ago. I recently befriended a family that I first meet going through our dumpster on a Saturday morning. There where three of them and only one of me, instead of allowing my dog to bark at them I silenced him. I said high and introduced myself and told the family that my dog was only saying hello the best way he new how. I offered them my bottles and cans and we parted ways. The next week they were back again, but there was something different this time. They greeted my dog and me as friends. This interaction between me and the family may appear to be short or insignificant, but for me this is only scratching the surface of what God would do.
sirojs // June 26, 2008 at 12:35 am
David, your story is very moving. It is the little things that say something about the essence of who we are. And I believe in this interaction God is present for both you and this family.
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