It was really hard not to cry today while talking with Maria, who now cleans for us once a week. She's had a very hard life but still sings praise songs to God while she cleans. After talking for some time she looked at me with tears in her eyes and genuinely asked why so many bad people prosper and why God gave her this life – she's never done anything that bad, she's never stolen or physically hurt anyone. Obviously I know the "correct" theological answer of we're all sinners and none of us "deserve" good things from God, but the cards do fall very unevenly.
I've dared to attempt an answer to this question with inquiring students and friends accusing God of (usually theoretical for them) injustice, but this was totally different. I told her that I don't know. All I do know is that another reality awaits her in the future. Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Jesus is coming to make everything new and to right all of the wrongs. This morning my heart genuinely longed for Jesus' return for the first time in a long time. It felt good and hard at the same time.
Maria found her first "son" in the garbage was she was 14 years old. Wet and naked with a note stating his birthday—all in a shabby cardboard box. Her mother said there wasn't enough food or money so if she took in this boy, she'd have to find another place to stay. So she walked the streets until she found someone to provide her shelter in exchange for work.
She eventually married and had a second, natural-born son. Her husband said there wasn't enough food or money for everyone so she couldn't feed her first son (now 10 years old). She refused. He left. She ended up homeless on the street with 2 boys. She found a kind woman who gave her a small room (servant's quarters) in her house. A friend from church found her walking the streets looking for work with her son. He got her son into our church's school (where Hannah attends).
She and her sons eat one meal a day, usually rice and an egg. Her 2-year-old never eats breakfast, never has milk. I met her through Hannah's school. She has an incredibly sweet and happy spirit. I employed her one day a week and buy (powdered) milk for her son (which she could never afford even with the extra employment). I feel really blessed to have met her and her son, but the inequity between our lives is palpable. Material poverty surrounds me (this is just one example) and I wrestle with how to respond most wisely and most obediently to my King. Please pray for me in this journey.
Please pray for Maria and her sons. Though through all of this I'm really really grateful to have a community of brothers and sisters here wrestling with the same things. Community always renews my hope and strength.
