Understanding

I had the rich experience of growing up poor as child.  Poor according to whose standard?  Well, it was just mom, I and her monthly social security check that paid our bills.  So I am sure the government standard was poor, as child, I never knew it.

If we were poor why was our yard and house always in good repair and well maintained?  If we were poor why was there always good clothes on my back, hot food for us and others available?  There was always enough to share… clothes, food, love and space.  Surly if we were poor we would have nothing to offer others.  I learned to understand that we had many things to share with our families, friends and those in need.  And we did.

That lesson in life carried with me through many of my own placed tough love moments in life.  Those moments where you know the decision you made would lead to consequences and at the time that didn’t seem to matter.  When those consequences caught up with me, it mattered. 

We all need someone to that understands.  We live in a society that often throws people away quickly, without regard for the contributions or potential.  It happens at work, in our families, in our communities, in politics, in every place in our lives.

I share story shared by a friend who illustrates the point of needing someone that understands in our life.  A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell.  He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard.   As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls.  He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.  "Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of your puppies."

"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money."  The boy dropped his head for a moment.   Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer.  "I've got thirty-nine cents.  Is that enough to take a look?"  "Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. "Here, Dolly!" he called.

Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.  The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence.  His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.  Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller.  Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...

"I want that one," the little boy said, pointing to the runt.  The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would."  With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers.  In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands."  With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup.  Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.  "How much?" asked the little boy...  "No charge," answered the farmer," There's no charge for love."  The world is full of people who need someone who understands.

Step back and take a moment to think about those whom you have crossed paths with.  Are they someone you may understand better than someone else?  We ourselves can be quick to judge others when growing through life with them. 

Remember, you can be the change that you seek in this world.  One person, one moment, one journey and one connection at a time.

Chaplain Royal Bush and Chaplain Beth Loofe are Interfaith Chaplains offering nondenominational and nonreligious care and services to all, without exception in Nebraska and Iowa. They conduct Weddings, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching,Funerals, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. For more information please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals.