Walk the Talk

Posted on July 31, 2007
Filed Under Ministry, Responsibility, Work, Community |

My husband Lee has always believed in community. If you talk with him long enough you’ll find yourself answering questions about how committed you are to your community, to kids in it, and the wellbeing of Black people worldwide. It’s often been a sore spot in our relationship. In conversations with friends, many times I’ve diverted the topic to avoid my husband’s “what the community and Black people need” memorized speech. To back his belief, he’s dedicated his life and current work to children in foster care. Just this past weekend he corrected me saying “babe, it’s politically incorrect to call them foster children; they are children in foster care.” “Thanks babe,” I responded quickly, hoping to avoid a dissertation.

Yesterday I over heard my husband on the phone with a young boy. He was asking him if he’d ever done jail time. His tone got my attention so I waited until he was off the phone to inquire about the details. “Who was that?” I asked. “It was a young boy who lives around the corner, 12 or so, he approached me asking if I wanted to buy marijuana.” “Really?” I was surprised. “Yeah, I walked away, saying I don’t smoke drugs. As I walked away I asked myself, why I’m I walking away from a 12 year old selling drugs in my neighborhood. So I turned around and asked him why he was out on the streets with drugs. After a long conversation, I bought all his drugs to prevent him from selling more and being arrested. I left him promising I’d find him a job and a safer way to spend the summer.”

At first I was irritated he purchased the drugs, but knowing my husband he wouldn’t dare leave a young boy vulnerable if he could do something about it. It would have to be $200 well spent.

Matthew 25: 34-40:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’

Fast forward to the conversation that caught my attention, Lee arranged for the boy to picked up by a friend and taken to a summer program where he’d volunteer his time and be given a stipend. I really respected my husband’s integrity, he really walks his talk.

After considering my husband’s choice to support the young man, I really had to question my own integrity. Would I put myself out for a stranger and give them money to protect them from a life-threatening experience? Honestly I don’t know, but initially I was not for it. Thank God it wasn’t my choice.

The next day I checked in with my husband. He said the young man was ready when they picked him up. He attended a program for youth in Watts and he would be spending the summer there. They say he’s quite a young charmer and a very hard worker. My husband visited and said he seemed very happy to be with kids his age.

Ask yourself, are you true to your beliefs? Do you walk your talk? And to what extent will you go to be a difference? I don’t know about you, but I’ve got some work to do!

Peace and Blessings,

Monique Ruffin-James