Day 3

Today, we worked with the Cornerstone Community Outreach organization.  We sorted through tons of donated clothes, helped sent up their kitchen and served a free lunch for all who were hungry.  All of these tasks were incredibly rewarding, however nothing compares to a simple lesson I learned while eating lunch with a few homeless gentlemen.  A man by the name of George told me about his childhood growing up in Chicago.  He told me all about the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie.  He must have told me the same story six times.  The joy in his eyes while he was telling me made me realize: we worry much too much about what we want.  When we make friends, we look for people who have similar interests.  We look for someone with connections.  The thing we easily forget in the day to day life is the human connection.  Instead of looking at what can this person do for me, we need to think what can I do for this person. I was not interested in the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but nothing made me happier than seeing that man so joyful.  Without even trying he did more for me then anyone trying to ever could.

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." -Matthew 6:2-4

One's reward is greater when they do not seek reward.


By Brian Cadigan