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Foolish or Wise? Proverbs 18:1, 2
"An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies
all sound judgment. A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions."
People assume that at The Open Door, many of our clientele are fools for ending up in the situation that would make an establishment
such as ours a necessity. Many also assume that our clientele are loudmouthed and uncouth, since obviously only
uneducated, lazy, or people who abuse the system would end up needing a soup kitchen. After all, it's nice of the religious
people to try and care for the lesser off, to earn brownie points with God or whatnot, but wouldn't their time and effort
be put to better use, helping people who are actually trying?
When people present me with their preconceived
notions, it makes me happy, because I have a chance to show them the facts, and let them make up their own minds (one of the
many freedoms that our founding fathers were so adamant about obtaining, that they risked losing everything in the pursuit
of freedom and liberty....but that is another story for another day!).
Yes, some of our clientele have gotten
to the place in life that they are at now, simply by making a series of poor choices. They continue to make poor choices,
and do not have the desire to change for the better. Others continue to make poor choices, because they do not know
how to do any differently.....if presented with an opportunity to learn that life can be different, and be
given the skills to be able to make different choices in their lives, then you would see a former "leech" on society
now being a contributor to society. These people usually not only end up being productive in their own lives, but giving
back far more to their community, because they are grateful for what they have, and for the chance to get there.
They also are the cheerleaders of their former peers, urging them to change, showing that it is possible, and coming
alongside them, walking their friends through the path of change.
I see a wide range of individuals on a daily
basis (I don't just spend all of my time at the soup kitchen!). I frequently observe "fools," spouting
their opinions, with no desire to actually learn anything. They are usually educated, "productive"
members of society, who care far more about their own personal comfort and self-worth than in the well-being of their fellow
man. These people, following the relatavistic and humanistic mantra that has permeated our soceity, are willing
to continually compromise what they think, never mind know (since people are constantly inundated with the
message there is no such thing as truth--everything is relative), all in the futile pursuit of obtaining their own happiness.
What is best for them is "right" for the moment, irregardless of how it affects others.
I believe that
God has called our mission to help people with rebuilding their lives, as we come alongside individuals who need an extra
helping hand. Whether it is in a literal feeding of a hungry person, feeding of the soul in a kind word or deed, or
showing people that there is another way to live--God's way, where every human life is precious, and where people
are called to help their fellow man--whether the "fellow man" is an individual who "receives assistance,"
or those whose lack of understanding make them think their desires supercede the rights and worth of anyone else.
2:09 pm edt
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