Jimmy is supposed to come by in about 20 minutes, so we can talk.  This guy is a real challenge- he has numerous problems with the law, as well as ongoing domestic altercations.  I have gotten to know him through community service.  He’s had what seems a decade of work mandated by various judges for problems mostly related to substance abuse and somehow I have become a good connection for him to do the work.  And I think it is because I’m a bit of a pushover.  The guy is elderly, diabetic, has a bad eye, and has never learned a proper work ethic.  But I see deep in his heart a good man and feel there are possibilities, so we work together to get these required hours completed.

Like I’ve said, he has a drinking problem, which is the gateway to most of his hardships.  I can’t directly relate, since I was mildly intoxicated only once in my life and have not touched a beer in 25 years.  But I had a slew of relatives who were drunks, and I’ve seen it’s disastrous effects on individuals, family, and society all through the years.

Jimmy is very different from me in many ways.  He is of a different race, culture, educational background, economic standard, etc.  Still we find ways to talk.  And, I think, to like each other.  He has come to my church a couple of times.  And I credited the hours toward his community service, which is most likely a stretch.  But heck, the guy needs 350 hours!  And in my opinion as a pastor, he needs the very strength and life-change which is offered at our church. 

So, if he ever gets here we will talk.  And pray.  He thinks he is a victim.  And I think, while he is intelligent in a street-smarts way, he’s not very smart with his lifestyle.  He hangs out with the wrong people, especially on weekends.  He will tell me about his financial problems, and I will remind him again that a guy with his smarts and abilities can and should be doing better.  And he will tell me of his intentions to serve God, which I know will be sincere for the moment, but likely only for the moment. 

Jimmy laughs often as we converse- a fun chuckle with a twinkle in his one good eye.  And I like him.  I just wish I could help him.

Now the guy is late.  Again.

Jimmy is supposed to come by in about 20 minutes, so we can talk.  This guy is a real challenge- he has numerous problems with the law, as well as ongoing domestic altercations.  I have gotten to know him through community service.  He’s had what seems a decade of work mandated by various judges for problems mostly related to substance abuse and somehow I have become a good connection for him to do the work.  And I think it is because I’m a bit of a pushover.  The guy is elderly, diabetic, has a bad eye, and has never learned a proper work ethic.  But I see deep in his heart a good man and feel there are possibilities, so we work together to get these required hours completed.

Like I’ve said, he has a drinking problem, which is the gateway to most of his hardships.  I can’t directly relate, since I was mildly intoxicated only once in my life and have not touched a beer in 25 years.  But I had a slew of relatives who were drunks, and I’ve seen it’s disastrous effects on individuals, family, and society all through the years.

Jimmy is very different from me in many ways.  He is of a different race, culture, educational background, economic standard, etc.  Still we find ways to talk.  And, I think, to like each other.  He has come to my church a couple of times.  And I credited the hours toward his community service, which is most likely a stretch.  But heck, the guy needs 350 hours!  And in my opinion as a pastor, he needs the very strength and life-change which is offered at our church. 

So, if he ever gets here we will talk.  And pray.  He thinks he is a victim.  And I think, while he is intelligent in a street-smarts way, he’s not very smart with his lifestyle.  He hangs out with the wrong people, especially on weekends.  He will tell me about his financial problems, and I will remind him again that a guy with his smarts and abilities can and should be doing better.  And he will tell me of his intentions to serve God, which I know will be sincere for the moment, but likely only for the moment. 

Jimmy laughs often as we converse- a fun chuckle with a twinkle in his one good eye.  And I like him.  I just wish I could help him.

Now the guy is late.  Again.

Big Dog likes the ladies.  And I understand, but it's not a good thing with his roaming ways in this high traffic area.  So, a couple of days ago I made an appointment with the vet and took him to be neutered.   Unfortunately the clerk told me the paperwork was not in order and turned us away. 

Walking back to the car, it seemed to me Big Dog had a renewed spring in his step and a smile on his face.  What do you think?

Next to a busy shopping center that I find myself frequenting several times per week, Hispanic men tend to gather en-masse.  They are looking for work.  Specifically, they are laborers awaiting anyone willing to hire them for the day.  I understand the ongoing rate is $10 per hour paid in cash, plus a meal.  And until recently, they had little trouble finding employment, and most would be gone before noontime.  Now they seem to linger most of the day, conversing and pestering passersby. Waiting For Godot.

Of course the authorities know they are there.  This is a conservative and Republican area.  Therefore we have legislated the obligatory, and in my opinion draconian, rules against illegals.  It is patently hypocritical that our economy is so much dependent on these same people.  Businesses hire them for the cheap wages, to do jobs that most good white folk consider to be beneath their dignity and below their worth- jobs like landscaping, mowing, and otherwise primping the opulent homes of those who pass their silly legislation and then pay the criminals under the table.  The police do nothing to disperse the gathering of these law-breakers, knowing to do so would likely mean a quick change of venue or even demotion.  You don’t “bite the hand that feeds you”.  Or, in this instance, cleans your gutters and tends your children.

I do not like driving down that little stretch of road.  Fox Street.  And I try my best not to make eye contact with any of the dozens of hungry looking men, because to do so inevitably elicits a query for work.  I feel sorry for them.  The housing industry, once so robust, has dried up.  So the majority of these immigrants cannot find work.  Since I live and pastor in a transitioning area, I have met lots of these people with brown skin and strange language.  They are not evil.  Simply they want the same as most- pay bills, raise families, worship God, and be at peace.

It is not a perfect situation.  I think they should make a better effort to assimilate, and especially to learn the English language.  We should do better to put an end to the black market economy, and that includes fines for employers who like to pay cash and thus circumvent the tax system.  A reasonable and accountable path to legal residency should be provided for those now here illegally.  I believe such would be well received.  And let’s do away with this silly and unworkable notion of shipping fifteen million people back to Mexico.  It’s not a workable solution.  Besides, then a lot more fine and upstanding American citizens would have to trim their own hedges.