Monday, December 17, 2012

Angels Unaware


Sometimes you hear a story that just makes you feel good and you realize there are still people in this world who are reaching out and touching the lives of others who are in unfortunate circumstances. These people are not doing it for prestige or honor but because they have the love of God in their hearts. I like to refer to these people as "angels unaware" because most of the  world has no idea what they are doing. I recently found out about some of these "angels" in my own backyard.

A couple of miles from where I live, there is a group of ramshackle buildings that most of us locals just refer to as "the dump." The place has no running water or electric. Trash surrounds the property and although there is a "house" among the junk, it really isn't what any of us would refer to as one. It just looks like a couple of boards were thrown together and a tin roof was tossed on top. For years we would see a man in and about the rubble or pushing his bicycle along the road. He would stop and pick up more trash and take it back to his "home." I am ashamed to say that most of us just ignored him and never really bothered to talk with him or ask him if he needed anything.

A few years ago, the man disappeared and the only reminder of him was the dilapidated buildings that continued to stand out as an eyesore to the community. As far as I knew, no one bothered to ask what had become of the man and even worse, no one seemed to care.

This summer, an out-of-town acquaintance of ours passed by the abandoned, neglected property and asked us about it. We decided to do a little research and see if we could find out what had happened to the man who had occupied the premises. We eventually found someone who told us this story:

Several years ago, the man became physically unable to get around on his bike as he had done for most of his life and became confined to his house. However, a local couple was concerned when they no longer saw him pushing his rusty bike around the neighborhood and checked up on him. Thus began years of "angelizing." These people began to buy him groceries and would deliver them to his house weekly. As it became apparent that he would not be able to continue to live in his humble dwelling, they began to look into a nursing home for him. They found one for him and did all the necessary paperwork to have him admitted. They packed him up and moved him and to this day they continue to monitor his wellbeing. According to the person who told us the story, the biggest adjustment for the man, was learning how to use a regular toilet because he had only ever used a five-gallon bucket for his toiletry needs.

I was touched by this story, but a little embarrassed that I too lived in this neighborhood and didn't even care enough to inquire about the man. I may not be able to do anything of this magnitude but I am determined to be on the lookout for situations where I can be an "angel unaware." How about you?

Mary Lehman
Secretary
 

No comments: