becoming more content
by JVS on Jan.02, 2008, under 2008
Last Sunday, when I was driving home from church – taking that last turn onto my street – I saw a man pushing two strollers – one was filled with a large bag holding empty pop cans and bottles. At first I drove by him (like I often do)… I feel like the priest in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan every time I do this… then I thought different.
“I should help this guy,” I said. So I pulled over to the curb, emptied my change box of its loonies and toonies, turned the car around and drove a half block back to the man. I pulled my car right up to the curb where he was walking. I stayed in my car as I spoke to him…
First I just offered him the $11. in change, and then we talked a bit. His name was Ron and he was about 50 years old, dressed in an old snow suit, wearing these huge out of style glasses… hands dirty, scruffy beard, he had no family. When I gave him the cash he was just blown away, “This just makes my day,” he said. He was elated!
He then went on to talk about how good his life was at the moment. Even though his recently diagnosed Parkinson’s had cost him his driving job, and then his apartment, he was currently living in a place that was being renovated. The owners let him stay there for free while the construction work was being done.
He had a place to live for the next month or so, and he thought that was the best! He couldn’t believe his good fortune. It was almost with a sense of incredulity that he said, “I can’t tell you how good the Scarpone’s are to me… letting me stay there for free… they’re such generous people… they’re so good to me.”
I then commented on the good looking strollers he’d collected from the garbage. He was pretty proud of his finds. He then went on to tell me about the brightness of his future.
“I’m going ‘off grid’ pretty soon,” he said. “I’m going to get back to nature, go winter camping, get out of here for a while. You won’t believe all the good gear I’ve been able to assemble over the past few months… a tent, down sleeping bag, Danby fridge, propane stove…” He went on and on.
“Winter camping?” I thought, “Where? Down by the river in the makeshift slums of Calgary?” (He confirmed that that was his intent a few minutes later!)
Anyway, this guy was totally stoked about his upcoming adventure… like a little kid would be.
As our conversation continued, he got a bit philosophical. At one point he let slip, “He’s taking care of me… one day at a time.”
I couldn’t help think of the bible verse I’d been contemplating for this Sunday’s message on contentment…
“I’m glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you’re again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don’t mean that your help didn’t mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.”
Phillippians 4:10-14, MSG
