Candlelight Burning
While on vacation in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, I
had the opportunity to visit with a lady who had
moved to the states from Sweden. She struggled
with broken English, yet I admired her
fortitude. She shared with us how she and her
husband moved to America with the hopes of
partaking of the ‘American Dream.’
She told us that her husband worked for years
just to make ends meet. Their food was basic,
there were no luxuries, and their apartment was
small. As he received a raise, they began to
save a few dollars here and there until they had
saved enough to purchase the motel they now own.
It didn’t take us long to see that her
patriotism ran as deeply as anyone born in
America. She proclaimed her love for our country
and her pride to be an American Citizen. She
rejoiced in the freedoms they now enjoy, and
sorrowed over the ones silently slipping away.
She was passionate, as we spoke of several
issues of our government such as hospitalization
insurance, aid for the poor, leadership of our
country, the elderly and much more. She tugged
at my heartstrings as she spoke of people living
in the back wood areas without running water,
little food, and no vehicle to drive. (Things we
often take for granted.) She said that she drove
deep into the backcountry to pick up a lady
desiring work.
To her amazement, and mine, she said the
children did not attend school because they
could not afford shoes and clothing for them.
“In America, USA?” I asked myself. How could
this be?
The father of the children was on disability,
and the mother made enough to feed the family,
yet there was little for extras. The worker
spoke no English, yet both the owner and the
worker managed to understand one another by
gestures. The owner went on to say that this
lady was one of her best workers and
trustworthy, because she appreciated the
opportunity extended to her.
This is just one family…we were told that there
were many more who had slipped between the
cracks and no one seemed to care! Yet, that
wasn’t quite true, for you see, one family
cared…. Cared enough to give others the
opportunity to live with dignity. One family was
given a job and hope for a better tomorrow.
This precious husband and wife lived out their
faith and ministered to one needy family. What
if every individual did the same? Are we so
involved in our immediate lives that we can’t
find time to extend a hand, or, do we watch for
opportunities to shine in a dark place?
My own heart has judged me guilty… I have passed
by someone in need, shook my head and said, “How
sad, God bless,” then I went on my way. God
forgive my indifference and lack of compassion!
Cause my light to burn brighter.
Just as the light continues to flicker from a
candle, may our flame never be extinguished in
our hearts.
~~~***~~~
© 2005 Marie Williams
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