Posted by
Doug on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 12:59:43 AM
You think I would have learned by now. A small little restaurant, and only one patron inside. When my daughter and I went inside, it became clear that this patron, named Paul, was a little challenged. Maybe he was socially awkward, maybe he was a little slower than some others, but he sure was ready to talk. I tried to ignore him at the start, hoping he would take the hint, but he missed my hint altogether. Pretty soon I was in the midst of answering question after question, in this little restaurant in southern Indiana. After a few questions, I began to hear a little voice, "whatever you did for the least of these - you have done to me." Ouch. Sure, I know the verse, and I can tell you what it means, but sometimes living what it means is another matter altogether. In this little Indiana town on a Thursday evening, living it meant to do more than put up with Paul, but to engage him in conversation. I like to think I was doing him a favor, talking with Paul. In hindsight, he did me a favor, he reminded me of what it means to live with "the least of these."