Easy

Between the shops of Coach, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany's, and such, on the footbridges of Las Vegas, are the homeless, the hungry, and the invisible.  Some of them try to "earn" their wages by singing a not so talented rendition of some 70's tunes that they think might snag a few bucks from the middle aged crowd.  Some try the tactic of being "honest" by coming right out and saying that they want the money to support their booze or drug habit.  Then there are those who make me wonder.  There is a man there holding a sign that reads, "This is hard for me".  The lady down at the next bridge has one that reads, "I left my abusive husband".  I admit to being cynical. And yet...........

I live on Easy Street, USA.  I'm a girl who professes to be a Christian.  I am a member of a faith community that proclaims the worth of all persons.  Yet, there I am in the herd and trying to avoid eye contact with each of these individuals.  I question each and every one of these proclamations. I do not part with even one penny  among the currency in my wallet.

There are those who would quote scripture saying that we are supposed to give to the poor and not question anything, but reach out not only with our money but also with our hearts.  Who sits down among these people to discover who they really are and what brought them to this point of desperation?  Others would quote scripture proclaiming that we need to be discerning.  We need to be wary and watch for the wolf among the sheep.  Either way, the street people disturb my peace.  They make me uncomfortable, not for who they are or what they are asking for, but for making me question who I am and what I should be.

While I was enjoying my massaging chair and my deluxe pedicure, I had a discussion with the technician  about the rate of unemployment in Las Vegas.  I assumed that in Sin City anyone who wanted a job could have one.  Although that used to be the case, it is not true anymore.  The unemployment rate in Las Vegas is 15%.  Even the sin business has experienced a down turn.  How many of these destitute people had come there to hit it big and be set for the rest of their lives?  The vast majority of tourists on the footbridges didn't think twice about throwing away $20 - $50 - $200 - more? - in slot machines or poker tables?  How many parted with $1 in the hat of a street person?  What investment should we make to a person who chooses to sit on a bridge for hours in the hope that someone will drop in a few coins?  And then.......How many of these people go home to comfortable houses after making unimaginable amounts of money from guilty (or lucky) tourists?
  
I sometimes work at the local food bank.  A few weeks ago a man came in who was truly in need.  It was his first time requesting assistance.  It was hard for him.  His body language and his own lack of making eye contact told his story without his saying one word.  We gave to him generously, but again,  we were in our place of safety.  We were in control.  If we are going to be the hands and feet of Jesus, don't we need to be generous even when we are not in control?

I am haunted by the questions that I don't have a clear answer for.  I am haunted by the images of people who live in the margins of my life who cry for help.  Still...........I'm cynical..........I question..........it's not easy.

Gratitude for:
- enough food on my table, and a comfortable place to lay my head
- having the choice of which car to drive to run errands
- the freedom of living without massive debt