Some people are so poor, all they have is money

As I was stranded at Newark Penn Station last night - God willing - I found myself gravitating towards the waiting area for the next train to come, which was a whole hour away. As I sat, this sense of awareness overcame me, telling me to stop burying my nose in my reading and look up, just to observe. Having done so, it opened my eyes to see something truly remarkable.

I noticed dozens of homeless people: some sleeping, some sitting, some chatting with each other. I realized that these were repeat visitors coming into the train station to seek refuge from the wintery streets. Out of my peripheral I could hear a man calling to another "Andy... Andy.. come here" he said. "Did you go to church on Sunday? How are you? How are you?". I watched as this man (I never got to ask him his name) interacted with Andy. After several minutes, I saw that man walk over to his own belongings, pull out a neatly folded plastic bag, which no doubt he had used many times before, and gave it to Andy. I don't know what he was using it for, but he freely gave it to Andy, telling him to keep it. I felt like I was watching a modern day parable:

Luke 21 New International Version (NIV) - The Widow’s Offering 

21 As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

I thought to myself, how RICH this man must be. In his seemingly destitute situation (which of course, is my own bias/pretentious observation) he gave freely to his friend. It was a vivid reminder to me that we, on a daily basis, struggle with giving up our worldly possessions, as if they had a single meaning. Yet we lack what is so integral to what true life really is. Love.

We spend our days toiling at work, gathering our nuggets of fortunate like Scrooge would, hoarding them and hoping they would bring real value to our lives. Please don't confuse fortune either. It may be a blanket thought to assume it can be just about money, but we horde time, resources, jealousy, pride, hatred, selfishness, you-name-it. We keep them close to our hearts (and our pockets) like children we were meant to protect.

Last night was a reminder to me that although it is good to work and good to keep and bring up, we must never lose sight of the most important things. That is to give thanks to God for what He has allowed us to have, appreciate those who are in our lives and honor the both aforementioned. For what is enjoying life if you can't share it with those whom you love?