December 6, 2006

*Signs

I was driving through a nearby town on the way to a meeting, had some time to spare and stopped at an old downtown, run down, thrift store. It almost looked closed as it was dark inside. I guess they were trying to save electricity. I enjoy going to old downtown stores to view turn-of-the-century architectural elements. I love it when the wooden floors creak under my feet, and I can gaze at the high tin ceilings. From the outside it looked like I hit pay dirt. As I approached the door the first thing I saw was a sign. We've all seen signs in stores and in churches; usually they have kind of adouble meaning. The sign on the door said, “Cash Only" (which really means too many bad checks and you can't get credit). "OK, fine", I think "I've got a five". The next sign I encounteredsaid, "Children must be controlled by parents" (that really means you're a bad parent and your children are brats). "MMMMMM" As I turned around I saw another one, "You break it you buy it (don't touch our stuff; it was donated to us and is very, very valuable)." The signs got stronger the farther I moved into the store, "DON'T ASK US TO MARK ANYTHING DOWN!!!!! (we can't help it if you don't have the money)”. Soon it seemed like all I saw were signs, “No public restrooms" (we have restrooms but not for you, you might get them dirty or something). "All shirts $2.00 except on this rack, priced as marked (we save the nicer stuff for those who really don't have to shop here). As I left, there was a sign at the cash register that said, "No refunds!!!!!" and right below it said, "Jesus loves you and so do we" (sure you do).

One of the challenges of working with the under-resourced is to care and help without it becoming a degrading experience for both of us. When we give to those who do not have, we can give in a way that sends a message, "this is for you but you have nothing of value to offer to me". The givers often feels like they are intruding into the private lives of those who have trouble caring for themselves, and it is uncomfortable. The receiver is exposed and vulnerable. Of course we can't stop giving, helping, and showing compassion. Perhaps the whole system needs to be rethought. What would happen if the large number of retired baby boomers who have business sense were to help folks start small businesses? What would happen if church benevolence funds were given to fund the endeavor? Perhaps experienced folks could share their expertise with those who would like to move from life "sustaining" jobs to life "giving" jobs.
Could communities be transformed by providing day-care centers, janitorial help, window
washing, roofing, yard care, small grocery stores, or even thrift shops that would
be owned or at least managed by and employ folks who need jobs that will give some
self esteem?

Maybe the sign we as Christians put up says, "We care for you". Do we care for you (meet your needs) or care for you (love enough to become involved in a life working side by side to improve a family's lot)? Maybe we do both, meet needs while enabling those in poverty to fulfill their calling. Jesus' sign says, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly". (John 10:10) Maybe that is our calling - - - to help people not just survive life but to have it more abundantly.

*Recently, I read a book called, Theirs is the Kingdom by Robert Lupton, (San Francisco: Harper Publishing, 1989) in it is a chapter about church signs (pp 48-50), it reminded me of my experience in a Thrift shop that I visited while traveling some years ago.