Sabbath Devotional :: Spiritual Brothers and Sisters

*The Embrace of Elizabeth and the Virgin Mary*, St. George Church, Kurbinovo, Macedonia

When asked what I do for a living, I often give the tongue-in-cheek answer of Professional Volunteer. Whether it has been wearing multiple volunteer hats in my children’s school days or costuming shows for our local civic theatre, volunteering has pretty much been my vocation for the past 20+ years. One place in which my volunteering soul has found a home has been Stone Soup Community — a local organization in my city that assists those in need with paying their utilities, finding jobs, budgeting money, and family development.

In my capacity as a volunteer, I sit and talk with clients about their emergent needs. Much of what I do is listen — a lot. Clients come in looking for help with their electric bill, filled with the anxiety that a disconnection notice brings. Young mothers, with wiggly ones in tow, come in stressed because their water has been shut off and they don’t know where to turn for help. Seniors on a fixed budget are worried about how to pay their heating bill and still have enough money for food for the month. With each client I strive to be a compassionate listener as I work with him or her to figure out strategies in how to manage their money and make ends meet.

One day a woman came in looking for help with her water bill. She had never been in before and was slightly embarrassed that she was there, seeking assistance. I assured her that our organization was there precisely for her situation and that everyone needs help now and then. I did the client intake, assessing her income and the bills she had to pay to keep afloat. As we talked about her circumstances, the conversation turned to parenting teenagers.

She was a single mom of a high school-aged son who didn’t understand the demands and stresses their tight income put on her. Though our lives were very different, the love we both had for our young adult children was the same. She desperately wanted him to learn independence skills while still living at home. I told her what had and had not worked for me when my kids were in high school. As we connected as mothers I could see her body relax and hope return to her eyes. Her financial situation was still strained, but as a result of our discussion, she felt more empowered to make changes at home to help her son take more responsibility for himself. When we finished, she stood and with tears in her eyes asked if she could give me a hug. We embraced and I told her that if ever she needed anything — even just to talk — that I was here.

Too often in our society those living in poverty, on disability, food stamps, and other government assistance programs are vilified and portrayed as lazy, dumb, and eager to abuse “the system”. Though I have encountered a few who might fit this description somewhat, the majority of people I meet are hard-working, kind, caring folks who are trying to get by. They may, at times, need financial help with their bills, but they also need support, respect, and kindness as human beings. Whatever our political views, socio-economic statuses, or religious persuasions, our hearts must be open to connections with each other. Do we truly believe we are spiritual brothers and sisters? Then the call is clear: “as I have loved you, . . . love one another.” (John 13: 34)