RECOGNIZE THE LIMITATIONS OF OTHERS

               

 

One thing I hope happens in all our faith communities is that we are made aware that not everyone has had the same opportunities that we have had. Those who were blest with stable parents, a decent family income and encouragement to get educated are fortunate. Not everyone has the same opportunity as you do!

 

I would like to reconnect with a young twenty-year old who came to the door looking for some assistance. I never give out money. At that time the minimum wage was eight dollars an hour. He agreed to work for seven hours washing the chairs in the adjacent hall for eight dollars an hour. His work was satisfactory.

 

When it came time to pay him, I asked: “How much do I owe you?”

 

He did not know! He was one of those most unfortunate children who fell through the cracks and did not attend school. He did not know how to add and subtract!

 

I began the painful process: One hour….means eight dollars?? Two hours …… he had to struggle to count up to sixteen. And then we spent the next few painful moments trying to count to fifty-six dollars. I thought when we reached fifty-six, ‘I could have given you fifty and you would not have been able to come back on my dishonesty!’ 

 

What a limitation in this culture. Try to imagine going into any Tim Hortons and asking for a job but with the qualification “I can’t add or subtract!” What future for employment does such a young man have in this culture? 

 

We must be cautious that we do not look at other people through the lens of our lucky lives. Not everyone had competent and committed parents. Not everyone has had the opportunity for training and education. Not everyone had hard working parents who made the effort to train us to work and to be disciplined in all money matters.

 

Which one of our First Nations tribes gave us the wonderful piece of wisdom? Never say anything about another until you have walked a mile in his moccasins. Be silent before every passing judgment on the limitations of another.

 

If the young guy ever comes by again, I will hire him again to wash/ disinfect the chairs in the hall. He was certainly willing and competent to work, but he needed a little help with the numbers.

 

Now what would happen in his life if he had the opportunity to go to school to help adults read, write and do arithmetic?