Tue
Apr 20
2010
Pastor Damon Laaker
Assistant to the Bishop
Nebraska Synod, ELCA
“I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, ‘Gone is my glory, and all that I had hoped for from the Lord.’” (Lamentations 3:17-18 )
Stephen Carter writing in a Lenten devotional says, “An economic downturn in the world financial markets entered my world when the value of my investment portfolio went way down in a short time period. My pocketbook also took a hit when gasoline prices suddenly soared, causing me to consider every mile I was driving. The world’s money troubles may be hitting you at home as well: Maybe you or someone you know is out of work, having difficulty getting a loan or struggling to sell a devalued house.”
Indeed, many of the folks that we see at Lutheran Metro Ministry have experienced and are experiencing this type of difficulty. Suzy is a single mom and mother of two who lost her income due to a broken leg. She was eligible and able to get food stamps but no other help was available. Her utility bills were piling up. Lutheran Metro Ministry together with the American Red Cross were able to pay enough on her MUD and OPPD bills to prevent disconnection. Her 19-year-old daughter has now found work and is able to help provide assistance to the family until mom is able to return to work.
Teresa is a young single woman. She first called the office requesting help with a needed medical prescription. She had no money, was unable to get a job due to her health condition and had been turned down by many others. Teresa asked if we could just send the promised help to the pharmacy. Francine politely explained that we needed her to sign a release form at the office. Teresa arrived at the office wearing a very large coat with the hood pulled up and almost completely covering her face. She walked with her head down and shoulders slumped. Francine greeted her warmly, like she greets all of our guests. It was obvious that Teresa felt badly. As Francine visited with her, she invited her to take off her coat. Teresa said she didn’t want to because, she said, “I know I look like a monster.” Her face was distorted, the skin broken due to an abscess. She needed the medicine to treat the abscess. Francine reassured Teresa that her appearance was just fine. Francine’s warmth and acceptance helped put Teresa at ease. Francine visited with Teresa and by the time she left the office she had pushed back the hood, unzipped her coat and when she stood, she stood erect, no longer stooping. When Francine was asked her care of Teresa, she said, “This is the way God would have us treat one another.”
I can’t help but draw a contrast between this view and the view expressed as reported in the Omaha World-Herald on Sunday, Feb. 28. The headline read, “In tough times, fingers point at the poor.” The first paragraph read, “Last month, Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer of South Carolina said that when the government helps the poor, it’s like people feeding stray animals that continually ‘breed.’” It went on to say that Colorado state legislator Spencer Swalm said poor people in single-family homes are “dysfunctional.”
Now before we draw our swords and head for the door to champion the cause of the poor, we need to remember that this view is held by many people. An April 2009 poll by the Pew Research Center in Washington, found that 72 percent of Americans agreed with the statement that “poor people have become too dependent on government assistance programs.” I personally disagree. When you look at the way in which we determine poverty levels, we use a system that was designed in the early 1960s when there were lots more people living in small towns and farms. We know that a major shift has caused many more people to live in the city. Yet, we have many businesses that hire people for the very least they can. The federal government defined poverty for a four-person family is income of $22,025 per year or less - a reasonable amount of money if all things were reasonable. In order to earn this amount of money, a single adult with three children would have to make more than $10 an hour. Their gross salary at $10 an hour would be $20,800. I don’t see many places offering $10 an hour jobs.
The prophet Jeremiah joins us in our plight. Prosperity is forgotten for him and his splendor is gone. His economic world is also crumbling. But in the midst of a whole series of lamentations, by the power of God’s Spirit, Jeremiah makes a stirring confession that God is in his world:
“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:21-23)
Lutheran Metro Ministry, a ministry of our Nebraska Synod, ELCA, offers hope. We have a wonderful working relationship with Employment First, an arm of the Department of Health and Human Services. Employment First places individuals with us so that they can learn some basic office skills, thereby improving their choices for employment. We teach individuals computer skills, office skills, including proper phone etiquette, filing, use of office equipment and working as a team.
Currently, we have three young women working 15 to 20 hours per week at our office - Shawnette, Tanika and Keisha. All three are single moms with children. They have sought employment but have not been successful. There are only two training programs that we are aware of that prepare individuals for office work. We have found that many of the individuals, like these three women, do not have a high school diploma, so their employability is doubly hard.
A couple weeks ago, we had been talking in the office about a dream of offering a GED program for individuals wanting to improve their chances for employment. A day or so later, Tanika asked to speak with me. She had overheard our conversation and somewhat timidly asked, “Could I help her get into a GED program?” This was a sign of hope.
Hope shows up in a variety of ways. Carol was referred to our office by Heartland Family Services. Carol is a cancer survivor. We had helped Carol four or five years ago, when she was undergoing treatment for her cancer. She needed assistance paying her utilities. Now she needed help with her rent. She had lost her job because her hip, damaged by the cancer treatments, had given out on her. She needed a replacement. How could she have the surgery and not have a place to come home to?
Lutheran Metro Ministry had received $5,000 of the federal economic stimulus money. We were able to assist her with her rent for one month. Her expression of gratitude was effusive.
Lord, we are your people, the sheep of your flock. Heal the sheep who are wounded, touch the sheep who are in pain, clean the sheep who are soiled, warm the lambs who are cold. Help us to know the Father’s love through Jesus the shepherd and through the Spirit. Help us to lift up that love and show it all over this land. Help us to build love on justice and justice on love. Help us to believe mightily, hope joyfully, love divinely. Renew us that we may help renew the face of the earth. Amen.
