Yesterday I was sitting in my office and I noticed Momma Gigi hanging outside my door. I asked her what was on her mind and invited her to sit down. I could see that she felt uncomfortable and she looked embarrassed to even talk. She sat there for a moment in silence. I told her – “Momma Gigi – You know you can tell me anything”.
She began to tear-up. She said she knows that we do a lot for many people and she is very blessed to work for us. It is not easy for her to come and share her problems with me because she knows there are others who have greater needs. She said, “Today will be the 3rd day that my children have not eaten. I didn’t want to bother you and I don’t need any money. Maybe if you could just give me a little bread – I could take it home for them to eat. My husband and I will be okay – if you could just give me a little food to feed my children.”
I sat there surprised with tears flowing down my cheeks. Momma Gigi has taken in several distant family members since the earthquake. She also took in a little girl and her mother who’s mentally-challenged. This mom was sleeping on the street with her 4 year old and Momma Gigi took them in. She is the only person in the household with any sort of income. Her household has nearly tripled.
I would consider Momma Gigi one of my best friends and yet I really never knew her struggles. I never even thought about her children not eating. I never even realized that she too might be really effected by this earthquake. It has haunted me all day. How could I not see it? My family is eating every single day and here is my best friend who cannot feed her family.
I keep imagining her with these thoughts:
I’m standing right here – but you don’t see.
Look – I’m right here – please notice ME.
I’m not some distant thought – I’m standing right here.
But you ignore my struggles and you don’t see my fears.
We’ve been working together – every single day,
We’ve been the best of friends – in every little way.
Yet before you I stand – timid and ashamed,
I am poor and hungry – with nothing left to gain.
You know me by name – and still you can’t see
I’m standing right here – oh how can this be?
God has opened my eyes to those who are around me. Those that are right in front of me. Those that we call friends and dear-ones. Are they hurting and we just don’t see? The people here really do pray for their daily bread. Something that my family has taken for granted.
I have spent the last 24 hours praying the very words of this song:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
The ones that are far beyond my reach
Give me you heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
***
I thank you – Lord – for my daily bread. Please help me -in all that I do – help me – to always think about YOU.