Cracker Chicken Tears

My grandson Bryce, who is now almost 5, did it again yesterday. Oh, that sweet boy just warms my heart! He and his Mama were eating leftovers for lunch. Not just any leftovers. Bryce’s all-time favorite—cracker chicken! Most people know this as chicken poppyseed casserole, but when a kid says something funny, it sticks.

 Bryce quickly cleaned his plate, then asked if he could have some more. Hannah replied, “Well, we don’t have any more, but you can have the rest of mine. “No! Mama, no!” He protested with horror, “I can’t eat your lunch!” Hannah told him it was fine; she could eat something else. But he didn’t understand that she was going to get some other kind of leftovers for herself. As she placed the plate of cracker chicken in front of him, Bryce began to cry.

He cried because he didn’t want his Mama to sacrifice something for him. Now, let me clarify…ain’t nobody in our family missing any meals! That is obvious by looking at all of us! But that sensitive little boy cried because he thought his Mama might be hungry and was giving her food to him. Wow! How convicting about the sensitivity of my own heart!

If Bryce was shedding tears over his Mama possibly missing one meal (which she wasn’t), then how would he react if he realized how many children battle hunger every day? I know my thoughtful, sympathetic grandson would be very upset. Upset enough to want to help them. Probably upset enough to cry.

Bryce does understand that some children are less fortunate, and he has been excited to donate some of his toys to children in need. But he has no idea of the horrors that some children experience. Unfortunately, I see it too often. As a nurse, I have rocked newborn babies who were screaming from the pain of drug withdrawals due to being born to a drug-addicted mother. I often wonder what their lives will be like in the future. I pray for a loving foster home for them or for their mother to be able to conquer her addiction. I pray they are able to know their value to God.

There are hungry children in my own city. There are children who are left alone with no food in the house, while their mother is out meeting her drug dealer and their father is in jail. It’s not about whether these parents are trying hard enough or making poor choices. It’s about children who didn’t have a choice. Children who didn’t get to choose their life circumstances.

It’s a hard world. I pray that this hard world doesn’t make me have a hard heart. Jesus ministered to the poor and needy more than any other aspect of the population. I’m not wealthy, but I have enough to share with others and to help others. I pray that God will open my eyes to where, when, and how. I want to care about others. I want to be like Bryce.

Well, no. I want to be like Jesus. But Bryce is reminding me how.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy,” (Proverbs 31:8,9).

I wrote this poem when my kids were small, but I see its truth even better now….

The Children

Rejoicing, I knelt down to pray
For my kids the other day.
The ones who give a slobbery kiss,
Weeds picked for me clutched in their fist.
Who spill their milk, draw on the wall,
And throw a tantrum in the mall.
Who pick at dinner, wet their pants,
Are spoiled by me at every chance.
Who race their bikes and skin their knees,
And “need a kiss on boo-boos, please.”
Who fuss when told to clean their room
And sing their songs way out of tune.
Who time and time again hereafter
Are quick to frustrate me to laughter.
And likewise, through these growing years,
They’ve often amused me to tears.

Weeping, I knelt down to pray
For the kids I saw the other day.
Who stared at me through empty eyes,
Longing for someone to sympathize.
Who rarely get a hug or kiss.
Who learn of hate and prejudice.
Who have no bike to ride and race,
And no one who cares to wash their face.
Who will stand tall and learn to fight,
Yet their stomachs growl in bed at night.
They have no rooms to go and clean.
Their little eyes see things obscene
In places I won’t dare to go.
This is the only life they know.
Their boo-boos are on the inside.
They patch them up with fierce-like pride.
Yet they’ll attach themselves to anyone
Who’ll listen to the things they’ve done.
And one thing that they do not lack-
If you’ll only love them, they’ll love you back.

c. Bobbie Perkins

Here are some ideas of how you can help the less fortunate in your city:

1. Find your closest food bank at FeedingAmerica.org- you can donate food, and you can also volunteer!
2. Volunteer to be a mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midsouth-msmentor.org or find a similar agency in your area.
3. Volunteer to tutor children through United Way, YMCA, or a local school.
4. Donate through your local utility company to help pay for utilities for those in need.
5. If you see someone who seems to be in need, offer to pay for their groceries.
6. Get involved in your church’s community mission opportunities by donating or serving as a volunteer.
7. Become a foster parent or adopt a child who needs a family. See info at fosteringtn.org or check in your state for local resources.
8. Other local resources to donate or volunteer: Life Choices, Moriah House, A Way Out Ministries, Memphis Union Mission, Salvation Army, Memphis Urban League, Bibles for China, Living for Christ Restoration House, The Morning Center, Calvary Rescue Mission, Christian Mobile Dental or Medical Clinics…many others…these are just a few! Please feel free to post in the comments any other places I may not have thought of.
   
   “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me,” (Matthew 25:40).