So as I was driving home yesterday from a long day at church I saw 4 teenagers standing on a corner holding up a sign for a fundraiser they were doing for ____________. You can fill in the blank cause the kids are there for everything, youth groups, cheer camps, choirs & bands, school fundraiser. I see this a lot. It is not an unusual thing at all, and in fact our student ministry has done it as well.
What got me thinking this about this more was that this particular corner last week my wife and I pulled over to help a young pregnant teenager. She had wording written on a piece of paper in a spiral notebook. We stopped to hear her story and see how we could help. As we pulled in a cop pulled in a few minutes after us asking us to leave and the girl to move along. At the time we didn’t think anything about it but seeing these ‘more well off’ kids standing on the same street corner asking for money caused me to ask…
What is the difference here?
I know we have a panhandler and then you have a fundraiser… but why is one who is in need forced to move on, while others who are desiring something more (new skirts, new trumpets, new shoes, bus to go on a mission trip) they can wave their signs and get hand outs.
I’m not sure how I feel, but the big Justice filled Gospel question comes into my mind and makes me wonder, why is one ok and the other is not.
What are you thoughts?
April 25th, 2012 at 9:35 am
Great thought and questions Brit. What bothers me about the picture you painted is what bothers me in general with societies interaction with teens. So much of our response to teens as a society is determined by a students exterior/appearance, and our own stereotypes. Smiling teens, clean looking, doing what we think is cause worthy = GOOD AND ACCEPTABLE. Teens who actually need help and support, who are wearing dirty close, smoking, or holding a sign = BAD! What is true and comforting is this. Those of us who are following of Christ are looking for ways to serve and love others. So I may not be confident that society will become more accepting or give equal opportunities, but I am confident that those who love Christ will love others, even if they are pregnant teens on the side of the road asking for change. So thanks for this post, and thanks for being the one to pull over.
April 26th, 2012 at 8:45 am
Wow…amazing story. And what a picture, having a pregnant teenager shooed away while other teenagers get to ask for money for whatever activity they’re a part of. Thanks for sharing this.
May 26th, 2012 at 2:41 am
WOW!! What a great observation and experience. I have never really thought about it, but you can guarantee I’ll never be able to drive by someone on a corner holding a sign and not think about it, regardless of whether it is a group of teenagers at a car wash, or a homeless man looking for something to eat.