I’m about to say something that might seem rude and judgmental. But I want you to know it’s out of love and concern that I tell you about my observation of the community of Alva. Please read the whole article before you choose to get upset or whatever this reading might do to you.

This past weekend, my wife and son and I had the privilege of helping out the Community Food Bank by going around and picking up the bags of food left by several community members. It was one of those days I’d rather have been doing something else but was blessed because of our participation. We got in several steps for our exercise and had great conversations throughout our two-hour timespan. Like I said, it was a blessing. But, I came away very frustrated as well.

I won’t tell you what part of town I was in on Saturday but I will say that we passed homes that are owned by both the well-off and the barely making it. I happen to know the owners of some of the houses I was by but there are definitely lots of people in town that I don’t know. You’re wondering what my point is by this time, I’m sure, and I assure you I’ll get to it shortly.

There have been times in my life that I lived off of powdered milk and Ramen noodles. I remember a time as a kid when the only food in the house, literally, was a can of Vienna sausages and a box of cereal like Wheaties, but worse. I wasn’t interested in the Vienna sausages so I poured the cereal into a bowl and added some water. It was horrible. I’ve also had times when I’ve been able to go to a restaurant where the bill ended up being over $150 for four people.

Okay! What’s your point?! My wife and I were amazed at how many houses we passed by that did not participate in this simple activity that helps so many people. I truly feel sad for those that chose not to participate because it truly does bless you to help others. I will say that the homes that gave the most were people that had the least. That’s strange isn’t it? I believe it’s because they understand what it’s like to be in need and maybe even have had others help them. They were simply doing what is called, “Passing it On.”

Do I know every situation and every family that I passed by on Saturday? Absolutely not! But I can tell you that we all have something to give. Maybe it’s a smile to someone that looks sad or asking “How are you doing?” and actually meaning it. It could be donating food to the food pantry or maybe giving some of your time to help distribute the food to those in need. There’s a plethora of ways to help our neighbors when they are in need. Kind of makes me think of a few passages of Scripture:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’” (Matthew 25:35-40) and:

“Jesus said: 'A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:30-37).