The Bestowal - Southbound

Although I doubt he was the first to say it, Elvis is quoted as having said, “Never judge a man without first walking a mile in his shoes.” And I am quoted (by myself) as having said, “Lessons are abundant on the bus.” Yesterday, we were both right.

As I headed out of town on Tuesday morning, I decided I would give my bus pass away, since I wouldn’t be here to use it the rest of the week. I admit I felt pretty good about myself…how thoughtful I am to not waste it…

Upon boarding the 54 with luggage in tow, I began a mental selection process for finding the lucky person to whom I would bestow my beloved bus pass. I started looking among my fellow passengers, as well as those sitting at the stops. (I pictured myself heroically handing the shiny green card to someone through the window.)

Of course the recipient would have to be someone in need….so that puzzlingly ruled out everyone actually on the bus with me, since they had managed to board after all. Though I did contemplate a few young mothers who had brought their children on – young mothers are almost always in need, right? But I wasn’t satisfied with anyone I saw. Eventually I reached the McPherson Square metro, thinking surely there will be someone asking for something outside the metro whom I could bless with a week of free bus rides…but no one to my standards was there. I went into the metro station, knowing I’d find even fewer “needy” or “worthy” people on the train. As predicted: no one. After a 30 minute ride, I exited at the Vienna stop in somewhat of a panic since I only saw local buses outside and no Metro buses, which made my pass worthless out there.

I was so upset. Just yesterday I had seen two people have to get off the bus because they didn’t have enough money for the fare and people are always asking me for transfer passes…

Finally, just as my friend’s car was pulling up, I spotted the red, white, and blue, Metro Bus sign, ran over to the stop and practically begged some woman to take it! My friend asked what I was doing and when I told her, she said it was very thoughtful…but I felt like I had failed…..

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Last year I head a woman who works at a food collection shelter talk about the idea of the “Deserving Poor,” meaning the poor who others think deserve help, as opposed to the poor who do not deserve help. I've also heard people talk about the requirements for TANF, Section 8 and other government services, where you have to meet and prove a specific level of poverty to obtain help – a very bureaucratic, unjust and often ineffective process.

I always hated the idea of “deserving poor”, but now that I had (and maybe this is overdoing it), walked a mile in the shoes of the US Govt. (thank you Elvis)… the situation seemed a little more complex. Honestly, I do not have any great conclusions, at least not for how the government can effectively and accountably invest in the lives of the poor. I mean Jesus was pretty clear about giving and about forgiving, but shouldn’t the most needy get the most services? And we have to measure our programs’ effectiveness somehow… So like I said, I have no answer for the US Govt. But, I suppose on a personal level I see that my giving the pass away was more about me than anything else…which isn’t likely to earn me any heavenly treasures.