As a daughter of two very self-reliant parents, asking for help was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I'm always embarrassed when I use my WIC checks, especially when it takes a long time and people are waiting behind me. My face goes red when I glance back and see the people behind me tap their foot or roll their eyes in impatience. I feel guilty when I spend our food stamps on anything even remotely frivolous. I feel guilty when I buy frozen rolls or pie crusts because it would be cheaper to make them myself. I feel guilty when I buy anything that is not the very lowest quality and price. I don't go to the doctor unless I think something is majorly wrong because I don't want to use any more tax payer money than I absolutely have to.
I wish I could remove the idea that welfare recipients are all deadbeats that are just looking for a hand out. I wish I could show people what I see when I go to WIC appointments and the DSS. I see people who are beat down by life and just need some help. I see young children who don't have enough to eat. I see women working two jobs to just try and get by. I see women like me, who are staying home with their children while the men in their lives try to better their situation.
My plea to anyone who reads this is simple. Pray to see everyone as God sees them. Please don't assume that everyone who is receiving help from the government is just looking for a handout. Please remember those of us who are responsible and are just trying to get by on very little. Please remember that we are all children of God and that he loves each and every person on this earth. He loves us no matter where we live, how we pay for our food, and whether or not we appreciate the assistance we receive. Judgment hurts, love heals.
This statement was never meant to be for those (who like yourself) do appreciate and understand how things are. I think it was a general statement made to exemplify how things have become and the state of mind of many. There are those who appreciate and those who take advantage of our church system as well. I think it is relevant more today than it was then. You and Casey have nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. You both work hard at creating a life for yourselves and your family and NO ONE can fault you for that :)
ReplyDeleteI know it doesn't apply to Casey and I, but it still hurts to read words that could be hurtful to so many who are like us. I know full well that there are plenty of people who take advantage of welfare (church or otherwise). I've seen it, but I truly believe that they are the minority.
DeleteWell said. I've been on both sides of the welfare argument- giver and receiver, so I think I can speak with some understanding of this issue. I hated being a receiver. It took my dignity and my sense of self-worth and crushed it. We never went out to eat, to the movies, or anywhere that cost money because I felt guilty doing something "frivolous" with other people's money.
ReplyDeleteOn the other side, it seems a lot of our judgements come from looking at one small anecdote or situation instead of realizing that the problems and people we see are far more complex than we comprehend. I worked for a while with people in many stages of poverty and each one had a different story and a different way of dealing with the life they were living. I can only point out one or two of the dozens I worked with who I could say were trying to scam the system and even they had their own reasons that, when you looked at them through different lenses, were legitimate. The best course of action is to let God be the ultimate judge. It's not the easiest course of action, but it is the best.