Miracles News
October-December, 2012
Taking a Stand
When I received the email regarding articles, I was sad because I had no subject material and hadn’t contributed for some time. God answers all requests!
This morning I received a post on Facebook for which I felt a need to address the sender. Then it dawned on me that it is perfect material for this article.
The post was a joke about a man who goes to pick up his welfare check and says to the person at the counter, “You know I’d really rather be working than be on welfare.” The welfare worker advises the man about an available job as a chauffeur to a very wealthy man. Actually, the job is to chauffeur the man’s daughter and perform all kinds of tasks — which, and I quote — “includes servicing her personal needs.” The job had a twelve-hour day.
The welfare recipient starts out by protesting the time and other things and he refuses the job. The implication of the whole post is that all welfare recipients are on welfare because they don’t want to work. You are familiar with the stereotype, I’m sure.
Now, I took the joke personally. You see, I get food stamps and Medicade because I, like millions and millions of Americans, can’t get a job. I’d really rather be working! Though I have an excellent work history, I am of a certain age and, trust me, I know that’s why I am unemployed.
I choose to stand to represent all persons who receive any assistance for whatever reason and it is from this position that I responded to the post and from which I write this article.
The person who forwarded the joke has issues with her former daughter-in-law. Guess what? The former daughter-in-law is on assistance/welfare. The joke sender is a Christian and claims to be spiritual.
So, here’s the lesson I was given to learn and to teach. How do we personally think and respond to people on assistance including those who abuse the system?
My thoughts went to my favorite teacher, Jesus. What would Jesus do whether the scorned daughter-in-law, the person in the joke or me in my situation is the subject?
He would do today what he did before. Jesus would love and offer a hand to us and accept us. He would heal us. He would feed us. And, if we were willing, he would teach us.
How do I know this? Because that is what He’s done for me and I am no different than anyone else!
Lest you feel sorry for me, I chose to not be angry. I decided to do something new with my life. I have spent eight quarters at one of the best community colleges, Southeast Community College, Lincoln, Nebraska, in their excellent Entrepreneurship Program. I’m an award winning artist, author and now entrepreneur. My first novella will be published this week or next on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and in the near future available in epub and audio formats on etsy.com. I have to finish the cover first.
Never in any of the last four years did He leave my side! I love Him dearly.
Rev. Carol K. Springer-Witfoth, O.M.C., is a Pathways of Light minister living in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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