Awakening
Every morning at 2:15, my dog awakens me with a cold nose against my cheek. This routine has persisted for a week now. Startled each time, I jump to alert, and he begins to whine. I stretch and swing my feet to the floor, shrouded in a cloud of sleepiness, to let him outside. As I approach the door, he makes a sound I’ve never heard from him before—a strange blend of howl and cry. Opening the door, he nearly knocks me over, eager to begin his sprint around the fenced yard while growling.
Usually, I wouldn’t join him, but today, I feel compelled to do so. It’s in this moment that I realize the reason for his unusual behavior—a man is in my yard. He’s leaning against a tree in the dark, concealed behind it. My heart races as I loudly announce my intention to open the gate, my weapon at the ready. My loyal dog gallops and barks at the fence.
My voice trembles as I yell, “Get out of here!” The man starts to walk toward the road, murmuring that he’s not stealing, just seeking a place to rest his head. As I see this stranger and hear his words, my frustration grows. For a week, this man has been lurking just outside my window, doing who knows what.
In that moment, the words I’ve read so many times resound in my mind: “Take care of the least of you.” I call out to the man, asking why he’s sleeping in my yard. He turns back and explains, “I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’ve lost my wife and my home.” My initial anger softens into sadness as I offer to speak to him, with my dog as my loyal companion. The man stands by the road, telling me about his job loss due to depression and his wife’s affair. I inquire about his family, but he has no siblings, and his parents have passed away, leaving his wife with their only car.
As I peer closer, I recognize this man; he’s a neighbor from our rural subdivision whom I’ve seen going to work. My heart sinks. How can this be? Without hesitation, I tell him to wait and rush to my basement, fetching a pup tent, a sleeping bag, and a pillow. Stepping outside, I find him chatting with my dog, petting him over the fence. I explain that he can keep the tent but suggest he stay in a small clearing in the nearby woods. I want to help but also wish to maintain some distance from his situation.
Uncertain about his story, I assure him I’ll check on him in the morning, offering coffee and food. He attempts to give me the little money he has, but I kindly decline. He sets off on his short walk to the woods. Normally, I might have let my dog loose on a trespasser, but something made me pause—a realization that this was not a criminal, but a neighbor in dire straits.
An hour later, I find myself reflecting on the situation. Gazing out of my window, I spot a faint light in the woods across the water, indicating that he has set up the tent in the small clearing. I wonder if he’ll return in the morning to explain why he ended up sleeping in a neighbor’s yard, and why he chose mine.
I’m convinced that providing him shelter, a tent, a sleeping bag, and a pillow was the right thing to do. Yet, my mind races, pondering how one can become homeless and not seek help from neighbors. This speaks volumes about the world we live in today—a world where self-reliance often takes precedence over community.
I sincerely hope he returns in the morning. I know this man isn’t a bad person. I’m confident that someone in our community will offer him a job, and there’s probably someone looking to rent a room to reduce their own expenses. When did our world become so cold that neighbors are hesitant to ask for help? This night has only deepened my frustration with the state of humanity.
Our economy is deteriorating, and more good people will find themselves homeless, unable to meet today’s demands. Families struggle to make ends meet. To those reading this, I implore you: Will you watch your neighbor go hungry while you’re well-fed? Has your success blinded you to the fact that not everyone is as fortunate? Will you stand by and say, “I’m making it, why can’t they?”
I hope not. I hope people recognize that our economy is heading toward a crisis, and maintaining an attitude of self-preservation at the expense of others will lead to a grim future for our country. I can’t save the world, but when you see someone struggling through no fault of their own and do nothing, it’s time to reflect on the kind of person you’ve become. Is money so precious that we won’t extend a hand to our neighbors?
I may not be able to do more than provide a tent and a little food, but I’ll ensure he’s sheltered and fed. I’ll help him find a local job, for I’ve witnessed his work ethic. Whatever has befallen him, it’s likely just bad luck. I’ve faced enough challenges of my own to avoid bad karma.
In conclusion, I leave you with this thought: God said to help the least of us. If you’re blessed in life, consider that not everyone is as fortunate, and circumstances can change in an instant. Be kind and remember that good deeds are the true treasures of this world. Without kindness in our hearts, we fall short of what we should be. Be blessed, and if your blessings overflow, consider using them to do something kind.
Comments