Due to a program my son was enrolled in, we were required to take him to therapy at a certain agency. From our first encounter with this agency, I was VERY uncomfortable.
You see, this agency services people who are homeless. It served people who are drug addicts, and people who can’t afford to get care any other way. That is not our story. It made me uncomfortable as a woman, and a mother to take him into this environment, surrounded by these types of people.
I was explaining how uncomfortable to someone this situation made me. I didn’t feel very safe. Exposing my son to these types of people didn’t feel right. But as I was saying this, it suddenly struck me how elitist I sounded. It sounded like I felt I was better than these people and should be taken care of in a better environment than they were.
My heart convicted me.
The last time we were at the office, there was a long cue at the check in counter. My son is always carrying at least one book with him everywhere he goes. Usually, there’s about 4 books. This particular day he had one of his favorite books on knights and castle with him, and he struck up a conversation with a man, I probably wouldn’t have talked to. The man was dirty and unkempt, likely homeless.
Part of the blessing of Autism is that my son doesn’t see people the same way neurotypical people do. To him, it’s just a person. The two of them shared their mutual interest in medieval times. The 20 minute wait to check-in, that normally would have been excruciating for my son (and thus for me), suddenly flew by as they conversed about things I knew nothing about.
When I visit the office now, while I am still vigilant for our safety, I try to not feel put out for having to spend our time in this place. I try to remember that these are people who are struggling and need help, just as we do. This makes them no different from us.
Did I Deserve Better Treatment Than Homeless People? Click To Tweet
I think our own fears can prevent us from seeing the good in the world and so we should be attempt to put aside our preconceptions and deal with the current situation at face value. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
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It’s so wonderful to see all the ways that children teach us, when we tend to think that we must teach them. I think it’s wonderful that you were able to take a step back and think about your feelings. It can sometimes be uncomfortable to be around those who are different from us (physically, economically, mentally, etc.) but that just means we need to challenge ourselves to learn more about the other people in our world. Not many people would admit that they felt elitist, even fewer would publish it online for fear of retaliation. Bravo to you! #GlobalBlogging
Thank you. I was an eye opening experience for me.
There is a certain discomfort around people who are not like us, but underneath it all, there is a lot to be gained. One of my favorite things to do is to hand out a roll to homeless beggars when leaving the bakery. They always seem so grateful!
That’s a wonderful idea, and who doesn’t love fresh rolls from a bakery!
Who wouldn’t be! Fresh rolls from a bakery? Heaven! I’m sure they are very grateful.
Calleen,
I don’t think you’re an elitest. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to safeguard your child from possible threats. Granted the people at this agency may be harmless but then again you do not know this for certain. Let’s face the hard truth drug addiction makes people do stupid, crazy things that they normally would not do otherwise. Sadly most homeless are in the situation that they are because of some sort of addiction. We are human, so feeling the way you do is normal. We are not God and do not know what is in another person’s heart or mind. There’s a lot of weird stuff going on with people who are not on any sustains doing bizarre things. Case in point, a woman gets her McDonalds order and comes back with a gun complaining that her fries are cold. This was in the news last night, so you don’t know what to expect out people today. Be safe and protective of your family no matter how you come across to others. I don’t think Christ wants us to put children in bad environments to show our faith.
Now, please let me say thank you for your interest in joining our Monday’s Mewsic Moves Me linky party but purrhaps you didn’t realize it is a mewsic party which is always an easy remedy. All you need to do is include your favorite YouTube mewsic video in your post. We welcome all those joining to play alone with the theme but as long as you have mewsic then you’re good. I will flag your link as NO MUSIC this time because I understand this is an easy mistake to make but please feel free to come back any time to boogie with us. God bless you!
I understand and would have felt the same way but you are right, Jesus chose to spend time with the poor. Thank you for the reminder!
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I love it when we learn from our children. I used to learn from the students I taught in school almost every day. It sounds like you have an amazing son. He gave you a good example to follow! Good for you for realizing it!
Thank you.
Thank you for this positive outlook on life with a lesson for us all.
We will feature your post in the next Blogger’s Pit Stop. Well done.
Kathleen
Thank you.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. I’m sure a lot of us would have reacted in exactly the same way initially. When we are taken out of our comfort zone we immediately feel threatened and unsafe. I think that is perfectly normal. Children are great for helping us see clearly and get past our inhibitions #thatfridaylinky
Likely a lot of people would react that way. For me, I felt like it was a warning of something bigger. This could also easily become my world view. I could easily feel I deserve better, but I don’t want to be that person. So I was glad that it made me take a second look at myself.
That story perfectly illustrates much of what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount that I’ve been studying lately. It proves the adage about preaching with our actions and only when necessary use words. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. It was a real eye opener for me.
Sounds like you have an amazing son. If only we could all see people just as people without any prejudice.
#ThatFridayLinky
Thank you.
WOW!
I love the medieval and Renaissance times too.
So much to talk about with castles and human rights and humanism.
Kanner and Asperger were so right – being only yourself gives you room to see only people.
I think it mad both of their days.
While I can understand your concern, I admire you for checking your thought process and mustering compassion. It’s so needed at the moment. And good for your son! I know that it is one of the traits of autism to not be good assessing social situations, so that he sees just a person, but I’m sure he brightened that gentleman’s day.
I really do think he brightened that man’s day, and his day was also brightened in return. Sometimes I think we need to look past the outward situation to see the true heart of the situation.
Awweee…nothing like being humbled by the one that we treasure and protect the most; our children. Your son looked beyond what you seen. Just like you look beyond what you see in him. A pay it forward type blessing. Great lesson taught and an even better lesson learned.
Thank you.