Making Life a Little Better for Someone Else

I just spoke with “James.”  He has had a stroke, then a brain bleed and had been laid up for months. But now he has been in rehab and doing relatively well. He is not a quitter and is ready each day to face the challenges that stand before him. Not only that. Where help is needed, he’s there, if it is warranted. He just helped another soup kitchen guest move from the home he was being evicted from. James said, “I felt sorry that no one would offer to help, so I do what I can. I know he’d do the same for me.”  Then, he added, “I do work around here for widows and people who are older, but not grown men. You help where you can, but you can’t save the world.” James was speaking from the doctor’s office where he is waiting to see about a problem with his teeth. One of my favorite qualities in James is his sense of humor. A week or so ago, he looked at me in the kitchen and said, “Well, are you going to do something today or just stand around looking important?!” He is never without a good word! Despite his challenges, he is upbeat, down to earth and ready to make life a little better for someone who is down and out. If only we could have more like him in the world.

Author: Br. Bob Malloy
Capuchin Soup Kitchen Pastoral Director