35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
At some point in each day I reflect on what I’ve accomplished. Sometimes it seems enough to have gotten up and dressed, Izabelle fed some breakfast and delivered to school, myself to work, then Izabelle picked up from school, fed some dinner, and spent some time in the evening playing with her, or watching videos together, or reading/writing. It seems to be a fairly basic, simple existence. We have a warm and safe place to live, with food on our table and clothes on our backs. All of our needs are met, and some of our wants. But my mind always drifts to those who do not, especially to those who do not even have their basic needs met. So I do what I can with the little extra time and money we have to help others live a little more comfortably. And I wonder, have I done enough? I have given people food and drink, I have invited strangers in, I have offered people clothing, I have cared for the sick, I have visited and written to prisoners. In fact, I’m writing to five prisoners currently. One is a man on death row who has maintained his innocence for 20 years, a case of mistaken identity. The other four are women who have all been affected in some way or another by Domestic Violence. One of them is on death row. Another has been dealt a sentence of Life + 35 years for defending herself against her abuser. Today I spent several hours writing letters on her behalf to our President, to our Governor, and to several non-profit organizations who may be able to champion her cause. Perhaps they will want to hear her family’s personal story, allowing her parents to come and speak in front of people who want to learn more about the phenomenon of Domestic Violence. Maybe she will be granted a re-trial, acquitted/exonerated/pardoned or her sentence will be commuted, or she will be offered clemency. Something better than Life + 35 years for self-defense. I hope so. I pray so. I hope today I’ve done enough.
