Life all around. Are we seeing a mirror or a window? Does the scene reflect who we are or does it give glimpses into people’s lives? It is both. 

The mirror shows who we are as a society—it is a reflection of us. Through the window we see people—and how our choices and policies affect them.

This is not abstract. This is not a movie or news story. Life is all around. Are we looking?

It hurt my heart

I stopped at a traffic light.
I watched a man walk across the street in front of me.
He anxiously observed the traffic.
He was walking at the appropriate time,
but he knew he might not make it across before the light changed.
He grasped a walking cane with his right hand and pushed a wheelchair with his left hand.
His gait was awkward, labored, and slow.
His body was frail—bent from age. He leaned forward as he walked.

He was thin and about average height.
He wore a tattered hand-me-down tan suit. 
The jacket was tight, making the pleat gape open in the back across his hips.
He wore a red wool skullcap—in sharp contrast to the dull tan suit.

The wheelchair was piled high with bedding—two pillows, a large comforter,
and who knows what else under that. 
The load was precariously high—almost overflowing.

Pushing the awkward, bulky wheelchair with his left hand, 
he steadied himself with his right—leaning on the walking cane every other step.
His slow, steady, but labored, walk showed determination and resolve.
He had no other choice.

It hurt my heart.

Trash cans

Simple objects
Placed along sidewalks
Receptacles for things thrown away
Trash is tossed in without a thought

I watched a man bent over
Searching through a trash can
He soon lifted a large cup still filled with liquid
I watched as he walked away
Holding the cup and drinking from it

Did he not worry about germs
Did he think about the dirt
He could not afford to do that
He could not be choosy

Some days I see people with shopping carts
Walking along the downtown sidewalks
They stop and sift through trash cans
They put rescued items into their cart

Simple objects
Trash or treasure?

Light drives away darkness

Jesus said whatever we do to one of the least, we do it to him. I know, the problems around us are difficult and seem unsurmountable. Helping those in need requires skill and more resources than any one person or group has. I don’t have answers. I do know there are people and organizations who help those less fortunate. I can support them.

I can look in the mirror and the window with compassion—not with judgement, blame, or with a cold heart. We are all in this together.