So I’m going to the Page Street Center on Monday afternoons with Adam, our Ironman housemate, to help volunteer at Body & Soul, the food pantry program. We bagged produce for a while, and then Eric asked me if I could pass cookies out to everyone waiting in the room. I have two stories to share and want to know how YOU would have responded.
While walking around offering cookies, I asked a couple of street guys sitting on a couch if they would like one. They both said no. I kept going and as my back was to them, I heard one of them say, “Well if you’re the cookie, I could take a few bites.” What would you have said/done back?
On my second go-round, I had a whole package of cookies. The first man I offered them to reached in and took about a third of what was there. I said, “Hey now, don’t be greedy.” Good-naturedly, of course. He gave me a dirty look and said, “Your job is to pass out the food, not tell me how much I can have.” What would you have said/done back?
This should be good.
Hi Kristen, I’m a friend of the Millers here in Indy. It’s hard telling what I’d do in the situation if it were to happen to me as a suprise like you. And since I can answer what I would do if it were to happen, I already know what could possible happen..so I have the time to really think about what’s I’d do. And even when I think about it, I have no idea. My natural thing is to revert into my own head, be embarrased and just try to ignore it. But you never know, sometimes God like splurts something out of my mouth that can suprise me. When the other guy took 1/3 of the bag, I think it was a third, well, i’d probably feel that if i told him anything it might be ineffectual, like trying to rebuke a fool. So in all honesty, I have no idea what would be the right thing to say..if there is a one right thing. But I’m interested, what did you say/do?
i think your two stories point to the fact that even though sometimes we have a preferential option for the poor as Christians, it doesn’t necessarily mean we should make saviors out of them. People in need sometimes share the traits of those who annoy us. I have a similar experience where I got off the bus and gave my leftover Mexican food to a homeless man. I could tell he was drunk, so I also said sharply and shortly after handing it to him, “please don’t follow me.” I think hospitality and welcoming strangers is complex.
to the first guy, i probably would have said something along the lines of “well, i’m not the cookie, so no biting please.” something to that effect.
to the second guy, i think it probably would’ve been better to keep my mouth shut. seems he needed me to show him compassion more than a quick retort.
glad to hear you guys are doing well. i miss you and love you!!
wow, that depends on how I was feeling…..If that happened with me being edgy, then I probably wouldn’t have been very nice. still not sure what I would have said. If I felt fine I probably would have just strugged it off, just because I try not to allow myself to dwell on other’s opinions or actions. not saying you are, but I have lived in the past of doing so for most of my life of worrying of what others think and how they act.
yeah, like I said I’m not sure how I would act/react.