A Lenten Devotion by Ruth Carney
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.
Matthew 25:35
During the depression, my grandfather had what the family called a lunch cart. But by today’s standards, it was actually a diner. Everyone in the family (at that time) worked in the diner at some point. My grandfather believed no one should ever go hungry. That was his prime directive in his food service foray. It was the depression, and anyone who came in and didn’t have the money for food still got a hot meal. My grandfather wouldn’t even take something in trade for the meal. His mantra was when things are better for you, you can pay for the meal then. Many tried to give him something they valued, but he would not hear of it. My grandfather never told this story, but his children did. Was this an exaggerated story I was hearing as a child???
I was 13 when my grandfather died. When we arrived at the funeral parlor for the calling hours, there was a man sitting in one of the chairs. A discussion arose within my aunts and uncle as to who was this person. No one knew. My uncle went over to talk with this unknown man. He told my uncle that my grandfather had fed him when he was hungry and had no money to pay. When he saw the obituary, he had to come to pay his respects to the man who treated him like a worthy person when he was going through the hardest time in his life.
That was my grandfather. I still remember him dearly and I hope I’ll never forget all the stories I heard as a child and all the times I spent with him.
Good and Gracious God, thank you for all the people in our lives. May we always treat them as your precious children, no matter how old or young they are. Amen