You’d never know it by the junker I drive around, but statistically speaking, I’m rich. Having any car that can get them to their jobs and allow them to run errands is all some people really want, considering that lack of transportation is one of the biggest problems for America’s “new” poor. According to the census bureau, for the first time, more poor Americans live in the suburbs than in cities.
Today on Morning Edition, reporter Rachel Jones interviewed a poor woman in the suburbs of Des Moines, Iowa, who was having trouble getting ahead because of problems with her “new” car, which a friend sold to her for $75. Public transportation was nearly non-existent between her suburb and downtown Des Moines, where she could access social services. Like most suburbs, her home and her job were miles apart, with no sidewalks for walking and no local bus service. And the $75 car had already cost her more than $800 for insurance and registration, which she really couldn’t afford.
According to Jones, poor individuals are not the only ones struggling to deal with this new demographic. The suburban town and and city governments are struggling to come up with the services their “new” constituents need. And though many of us have extensive networks of friends, family and resources that we can rely on in hard times, this is not true for everyone. A lot of Americans are just a divorce, hospitalization, or job loss away from really hard times. And many of those people now live in the suburbs.
This story felt particularly poignant to me, as I have been trying to understand what a ministry to the poor would look like in my life. Though I live within the city limits of Indianapolis, my area feels more suburban, perhaps the only exception being the bus line that runs walking distance from my home. Until today, I have been trying to find a connection downtown where I could go and help them, the poor people. Now my focus is shifting. Seeing poverty as an issue close to home gives me more of an opportunity to practice sharing rather than giving. And when the people I help are my neighbors, I am forced to consider them as people rather than a cause.
Lord, give me eyes to see the poverty that is all around me. And give me the wisdom to know how to reach out to others with the dignity they deserve.
Great post…I want to be on the lookout for EMOTIONALLY poor people as well. People who just need a word of encouragement. Maybe the person behind me at the grocery store…or the mom at playgroup who looks down.
As a former resident of Des Moines…I can understand that woman’s plight…it’s a horrible town for public transportation. And the richest, largest suburb has the largest population of homeless and poor.
Anyway…thanks for making me think 🙂
LOVE your thoughts about sharing vs. giving and looking for those in need in the place where God has me. I want to “bloom where I am planted” and the needy might just be next door!
LM — Thanks for stopping by. Would love to hear more about your thoughts on this.
Erin — I like your connection with “I’m sorry” and “Will you forgive me.” One is thrust on someone; the other is offered.
Mark — I love hearing about these relationships with your actual neighbors. I just moved to a new neighborhood last fall and am hoping that when Spring comes around there will be more people outside so I can meet more of them. Funny how the neighborhood you’ve described seems almost nostalgic. It takes a lot of work to initiate with busy, stressed out people.
I also like the idea of sharing as opposed to giving. (Just didn’t get back here to comment before the rest of ya.)
So much easier to give and never think about it again, than it is to share- which to me implies that one actually sticks around to enjoy the relationship that develops.
Saying “I’m sorry” as opposed to “Will you forgive me?” is kind of along the same lines. One tosses a sentiment out there and walks away, the other lays itself at the mercy and grace of a relationship.
Jesus was about RELATIONSHIP.
This really resonates with me. Thank you.
Charity, NICE post. Since I downsized to small town America, I now know all of my neighbors by name. Last week we borrowed a cup of flour from our left neighbors. The week before our right neighbors gave us some fire wood. My wife is helping them get their kid’s college stuff in order. Our back neighbors chat with us over the chainlink fence at least once a week. And they have a gate from their back yard into ours.
Of course, I have other neighbors in other parts of my town that I shouldn’t ignore. But thank God he is helping us have a relationship with our actual literal neighbors. What a concept!
Craver — Your example of serving in the food pantry at your church is a good picture of what I see as the difference between sharing and giving. (It might also be one of those purely semantic arguments, hard to tell).
For now . . . — I think the difference between people and cause fits right into my distinction between giving and sharing.
Nothing to say… just thinking. (Isn’t that all a blogger can ask for, after all?)
Amen, Charity.
Good thoughts, and post. Thanks!
“when the people I help are my neighbors, I am forced to consider them as people rather than a cause” – that is a beautiful sentiment. It is too easy to look at people in need as a cause or a ministry rather than PEOPLE.
Sharing rather than giving. I really like the sound of that!
Since my visit to the Philippines in 2005, I have a new mental image for poverty. (See my inaugural post.)
If you have not yet read The Suburban Christian by Al Hsu, I highly recommend it. He does quite a nice job exploring suburban dynamics and stewardship.