Be Not Idle

On Saturday, I picked up my friend Karen. We both had errands in Port Huron, and she was going to be my guide to find the St. Vincent de Paul Society. I let her have first crack at what I was getting rid of: two boxes of houseware and three bags of clothes. 

I find it hard to describe how wonderful I felt watching her try on things and finding treasures among my discards.  It made me think of how people might react to finding something just right for them at St. Vincent’s. But what really floored me is that she immediately said, “I’ll go through my closet and see what I have to pass on.”  And when she saw something she really liked but that didn’t quite fit her, she said, “I could hang onto this, but someone else will absolutely LOVE this!”

She has an automatic generosity and honesty that puts me to shame. When we were in Home Depot, she found some money and immediately looked for the person who left it behind. Then she informed the management. No “finders, keepers” or hesitation.

 She herself works two jobs and is looking for a third. She always is on the look-out to help other people, even if it’s inconvenient.

 She’s not alone by any means. I’ve met an octogenarian last summer who fixes up broken appliances and sells them to help his neighbours pay their bills. He considers himself in good financial shape because his social security check covers his basic needs and his little trailer is in decent shape.  He said God gave him his health and longevity so that he could keep helping others.

 Then there are the kids, the ones who get free school lunches and wear out the clothes passed down from their older cousins. But they collect pop cans so they can raise money for Christmas gifts and groceries for other families. 

 I wonder how such people learn so much generosity, yet those of us who have more have such a struggle with being generous.