Each of us recently had experiences that set us to thinking about how people interact with each other. We invite you to reflect along with us.

Late last month, I was changing planes in the Las Vegas airport. As I approached the gate for my connecting flight, a toddler came walking toward me from the waiting area, her mother following close behind. This little girl had clearly not been walking long. She stepped with feet wide apart, both hands raised to the height of her head to help her keep her balance.

With each uncertain step, her course varied slightly, so I stopped walking to let her safely pass on either side of me. She did not, however. She did not pass me at all, but walked directly up to me and threw both arms around my left leg!

I smiled down at her and said, “Hello there!” Her mother chuckled, then called the child’s name, saying, “Now that’s really sweet, dear, but you should come back here now.” And she did.

At some point, I am sure, that mother will feel compelled to warn that child to be wary of strangers. Sadly, there will be good reasons for such a warning. That is probably why I find the holy innocence of that little girl’s hug so refreshing.

Her natural impulse was to embrace a stranger. I think Jesus would approve. When he said, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matt. 25:35), those were words of high commendation. Jesus was echoing the instruction of Moses, long before: “You shall … love the stranger” (Deut. 10:19).

How often is our first impulse to shun the stranger, or to ignore the stranger? When I encounter a stranger, do I perceive them as a nuisance? As a threat? Or am I, like that innocent child, willing to embrace a stranger as another of God’s children? As Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40).

All scripture quotations from NRSV

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

It has been said that a career high school history teacher, upon retirement, is fully equipped to command an army battalion or assume a police sergeant position. Not that I ever did want to test that prediction, but after teaching history 20+ years, I admit I was quite comfortable giving orders.

Giving orders as a police sergeant was not my goal, but rather, an interaction of support with our local law enforcement, the San Antonio Police Department Citizens on Patrol. To become a Citizen on Patrol, I recently engaged in trainings to assist our local police, to be the eyes and ears of the officers, and report crime. Upon completion of the program and certification, the next step was a “ride-along” with a police officer on patrol, learning to be aware of complex issues in law enforcement.

My 8-hour patrol last month with Officer G began at 6 A.M., rounding shopping centers and hide-outs where homeless are known to sleep. The first emergency call was a burglar alarm transmitted from a large restaurant safe (vault) that had to be investigated. The rest of the morning was spent answering calls concerning stolen vehicles and suspicious behavior.

Around noon we received an emergency call from an apartment unit manager, reporting squatters occupying a vacant apartment. Officer G called for backup which arrived almost immediately. The officers investigated and resolved the situation. After Officer G returned to the patrol car, I asked him, “How did you know they were not armed?” He answered, “I didn’t.”

To this day, I don’t know what impressed me more, his bravery in the face of danger, or his kind and respectful treatment of the vagrants. He put his life on the line for the sake of community safety. His heart seemed filled with compassion for the renter of the apartment, a man who was not “mentally right”, and the 4 others who took advantage of him. Even from a distance, I could see that all the men were treated with dignity.

This incident left me with the lingering question, “Lord when did we see you?

 Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? (Matt 25:37-39)

A few issues back, we asked for your help to raise funds for needed eye surgery for Evelyn, the 13-year-old we sponsor in Guatemala. Thanks to your generosity, we more than met our goal!

We recently received a new letter from Evelyn. The funds sent allowed her family to pay for additional testing, which showed that less-invasive treatment may be possible. There will be additional testing later this fall, when a final decision on treatment will be made. Evelyn writes, “For now the rest of the money is saved for use when it will be needed. Thank you for the help you gave me, with your help I hope my vision will improve.”

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