There are Certain Things...Part 1

Which put life into perspective.

Such things make you think really hard about reality and how you put into practice the faith of Christ.

In a Matter of Moments

Just before leaving for a period of vacation and recuperation after Christmas, my wife and I took our kids shopping.  The money they received for Christmas was burning a hole in their pockets, and they wanted certain items.  Rather than fight the battle to wait, we had time, so we used it.

We stopped at Wal-Mart in Katy and after the kids found their hearts' desires, we headed to the checkout line.  As we were waiting to place our items on the conveyor belt, I overheard a mother talking to her daughter right behind me.  The girl wanted an item on the end cap and was pleading with her mother to get it.

Apparently, the mom wanted to purchase the item for the girl but was unable to, "What part of 'I don't get paid until Friday' don't you understand?"

The comment was rather heart wrenching to me.  I'm blessed enough not to "have to wait until Friday" to purchase special things for my kids.  I work.  My wife works.  Revenues are more than expenses most months.  Not everyone is as lucky.

I reached into my wallet at this point, took out a $20 bill and handed it to the woman.  "Get it for her and Merry Christmas."

The woman stared at me with a look of utter disbelief.  I mean, she was literally in shock.  "Are you serious?  Thank you."

"You are welcome."

It was then quite priceless to hear the woman try to explain to her daughter just why she could now have this item.  "Thank you," the little girl then said.

"You are welcome."

Even more priceless as we walked out of the store.  My eldest turned to me and said, "Daddy, that was really nice of you."

"Yes, dear, I know."

Moments later, as we approached our car, a young woman looked directly at me, "Maybe you can help me."

"What do you need?"  I asked.

"I'm trying to get back to San Antonio.  I'm almost out of gas.  I have no money.  Someone gave me this gift card, and it has $3 on it.  I'm pregnant, and I can't wait here all day until someone comes to get me.  People are being rude to me, and I just need help."

Another $20.

"Thank you so much.  This will get me all the way home!  Thank you.  I've never had to do this before."

"You are welcome."

"May you have a blessed New Year!"

"You too."

My eldest: "Daddy, you're just giving money away!"

Me: "Yes, dear.  I am.  We are blessed.  Not everyone is as fortunate.  Whenever we get the opportunity to help, we should."

I needed to get gas for our vehicle as well, so I pulled over to the Wal-Mart gas station.  The young lady was there with her brother, and they had just finished filling up her car.  She saw me once again and filled in some of the blanks.

"I've never had to ask before.  I asked one guy, and he said, 'Get an effing job!'  I thought, 'I have a job.  I'm just out of cash.'  I couldn't believe how rude he was.  I can't believe how mean people can be."

I replied, "There's still some good ones out there.  Have a safe trip.  Is this your first child?"

Beaming, she said, "Yes!"

Small chit chat for just a few moments before she headed for home.

Unbelievable that someone could respond callously to another without getting to know that person's situation.  Unbelievable, but reality. 

In a matter of moments, I was out $40.  But it was a very small price to pay.  A small price to shock a working poor mother with kindness; make a young girl jump for joy; reverse an expectant mother's view of humanity; and, perhaps most importantly, show another young girl the importance of giving.  Maybe my other two children were watching as well--even though they said nothing.

Lead by example.  Others are watching.  Realizing this puts things into perspective.  All it takes is a matter of moments.

A Proper Burial

So, apparently the family of one of the Boston Marathon bombers is having trouble finding a cemetery who will bury him.

A relevant quote from the linked article:

"The difficult and stressful efforts of the citizens of the City of Cambridge to return to a peaceful life would be adversely impacted by the turmoil, protests, and wide spread media presence at such an interment," Healy said.

Is this how far we have come as a nation now?  When doing the right thing is subject to turmoil, protests, and wide spread media presence?

Don't get me wrong.  I am not pleased with Tamerlan Tsarnaev's actions or the actions of his brother.  I believe what they did is despicable, but I am also informed by my Christian faith.

Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."  Matthew 5:44

Why would Jesus say such a thing?  Why would He admonish his followers to do something so contrary to human nature? 

#1. We are all made in the image of God.  One cannot overlook this very important point.  There is a basic level of humanity that we all share no matter who we are, what we look like, and what we do.  Loving an enemy and praying for one who is persecuting you helps you realize this connection, and it keeps you from dehumanzing them.  For when you dehumanize an enemy, it is easy to commit atrocity against them.

#2. We are all corrupted by sin.  I know many of us like to think we take the moral high road.  I know many of us believe we are right and "they" are wrong.  This may be most certainly true.  May be.  But if there is anything history has taught us, it is very easy to give ourselves pats on the back thinking we are correct--even if we are wrong.  History has taught us that it is quite easy to give ourselves theological justification for our actions against another--even when it is particularly clear that God in Jesus says that such actions lead only to death--"Those who live by the sword will die by the sword."  Loving an enemy and praying for him or her also helps a person recognize his or her own short coming and confronts a person with his or her own sinfulness. 

#3. Because we are corrupted, any one of us could snap at a given moment.  Sometimes psychological pressures caused by stress and anxiety lead us down a very dark path.  Sometimes it means the taking of one's own life.  Other times, it means taking the lives of others when carrying out one's own destruction.  We must realize that within each and everyone of us is a Tamerlan Tsarnaev.  How would you want to be treated if suddenly things came to a head and you snapped?  Would you want others to deny your basic humanity?

#4. Forgiveness.  Yeah, it's a big thing, sometimes very, very difficult when the situation is so raw.  But in loving an enemy and praying for those who persecute you, you are not allowing the enemy to control you.  You are not allowing the enemy to have a part of your heart and soul.  The enemy has no power over you.  This is one of those overlooked aspects of forgiveness.  In this particular case, burying Tsarnaev shows that even though he and his brother intended to do harm, we show a better way.  We show a way with more power that refuses to kowtow to hatred.  "You want to bomb us.  You want to show hatred toward us.  That is your choice.  We will defend ourselves.  We will seek justice, but we will not repay hatred with hatred.  We will kill you with kindness because we know hope."

Such reasons lie, I believe at the heart of why Jesus gives us these commands.  Unfortunately, these things are far removed from our society these days.  We have relegated the spiritual to the personal, and so it no longer informs our national psyche. 

And so, we repay hatred with hatred.  We repay death with indignity.  Instead of taking the higher road, we debase ourselves.

Let us show our strength by treating our enemies as humans, not as animals.