Tag: hunger

Posted in Life, mercy

Confronted by hunger, scoliosis, schitzophrenia, and an e-bike

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I have a whole lot of questions about this man who crossed the intersection in front of me today.

What does he mean by a twisted spine? My quick Google search took me to websites that described scoliosis, when the spine twists or curves to one side or the other. It can cause trouble breathing as well as chronic pain.

What about schizophrenia? Although I hear that word often, Google told me that less than one percent of the population have this mental health condition. Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, memory challenges, and decision making problems. There is medical treatment.

How much does an e-bike cost?

This appears to be a Vivi Sport e-bike available at Walmart for under $500. That’s pretty affordable. But if I had to choose between an e-bike and food, I would buy something to eat.

While I’m on the topic, why do e-bikes have pedals? I learned it is so that they are considered bicycles rather than motorcycles. They don’t have to be licensed in the same way.

I have questions for this man. Are you a veteran? Sadly, too many veterans have to wait a long time to get the treatment they need for physical and mental challenges.

How did you afford an e-bike? Where do you charge it up at night? Where do you ride your e-bike to and from?

What medical care have you found? Can you afford your medication? Are you constantly in pain?

When I find myself lacking compassion, I know I should get to know the person who is asking for and needing assistance. Maybe money isn’t their most important need at the moment.

And then maybe the most important question of all: what if that were me? What would I do in their shoes? Where would I go? Who would I ask for help?

I never seem to have as much compassion as I should when I see someone riding an e-bike with a sign like this in front of me. I jump to conclusions, harden my heart, and think like someone who doesn’t even know Jesus. It’s convicting. It drives me to repentance. And it makes me realize I still have so much to learn.

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions

Today’s lesson: food!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Dushawn Jovic on Unsplash

A “through the bible” devotion from Exodus 16.

There’s truth to the saying, “You’re not yourself when you’re hungry.”

A cute baby turns into a monster when he or she decides they want to eat. children get restless as snack time approaches. Your dog or cat sits and stares until you relent and fill their food bowl. Wedding guests get snarly as table after table is called to the buffet line ahead of them. “Just wait till I get my hands on whoever ate my lunch from the break room refrigerator!”

Hungry people are irritable, rude, impatient, and nasty.

“The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. The sons of Israel said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat, when we ate bread until we were full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this entire assembly with hunger!’” (Exodus 16:2-3)

Suddenly you wish you were back in Egypt making bricks? Your taskmasters fed you that well? You miss Pharaoh’s home cooking?

Probably not. But now you’re ready a theology lesson. “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I have heard the grumblings of the sons of Israel; speak to them, saying, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread; and you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” (Exodus 16:11,12). One of the best ways to get to know God is to be hungry and then eat. Then you’ll know that he is the Lord your God.

If that’s the case, then I’m learning about God all the time. I get hungry a lot. I often forage in the kitchen for a meal or a snack. That’s my kind of education. It sure beats sitting in a seminary classroom!

Over time I’ve become a lot less demanding and much more grateful for my daily bread. Some of that comes from having to buy and prepare the food myself. But it’s also because I’ve grown in grace and knowledge of the Lord.

Posted in Life

30 hour famine follow-up

Posted on by William Douthwaite

The youth group and I ended our thirty-hour famine this afternoon with a worship service, holy communion, and then a great dinner prepared by the parents at 6:00 sharp.

This year’s group is awesome. We had no problems, everyone participated fully and enthusiastically, and everyone was asleep by about 2 am last night. The ground was hard and the air was cool but I was warm in my sleeping bag under a cardboard box. Earlier in the evening we did a few devotions, played some games to help us understand the dynamics of living without much in third world countries, and watched the movie Slumdog Millionaire. I’ve seen the movie before, but it’s a great reminder of how difficult life is for so many in this world. Today’s program included some strenuous service activities at the homes of some of our members who need a little help with yard work, and a few more games.

One lesson of not eating for a day or so is the awareness of how often you just timefor a snack without even being hungry. I’ll bet I caught myself thinking about it a dozen times over the thirty hours. We could probably all do with a few less snacks in the course of a week. I also learned that our youth care a lot about other people. They may have their moments of self-centeredness, but they also have many moments of wanting to make a difference and leave their mark on this world. I’m very proud of them all.