We have this Indian family in our Bible Study class. Hard to tell age, but I would guess 30 something. Has wife, daughter & son. Daughter looks to be 10ish and son around 8. Anyway, the man (Robin) has been looking for work. Every Sunday in Bible Study, he asks for prayer to find a job. And the following Sunday, when making his request again, he tells where all he has looked and where his appointments are located for the coming week.
I have to admit that I have paid relatively little attention to his requests. Guess (to be totally honest) it pisses me off that there are people from other countries in my own country looking for work. Much to my own shame, I have to confess that I have cared less that he doesn’t have work. “Go back to India” has been my feeling about it all. Last week Robin had an interview in Boston. Wow! Money to burn up looking for work! Just hop a flight to Boston. Does this sound ugly of me?
Well I would have justified and defended all my deep, dark & sinful feelings up until today. Today, I listened to his requests. I heard the worry in his voice over not having a job so that he can support his family. I heard all the locations he had traveled to this week in his search. David asked him “What do you do? What kind of work are you looking for?” That wasn’t just something to ask. I think we care. I think that suddenly we all care. This is a human being, no matter his nationality, who is seeking to support his family.
Robin replied that he is a PHD, a scientist, but that he is willing to work at Walmart or Publix or any other honest means of work. However, the later immediately tell him he is overqualified and refuse to even look at his application.
Suddenly, I don’t feel so bad anymore...and neither do other folks who are unemployed. This man is a PHD and can’t find a paying job. My measly BA pales in comparison. David’s Contractor’s License seems of no consequence up against the education and expertise of a scientist’s PHD.
I am humbled...and at the same time, Blessed.
