A Point of View

There’s a Hindu parable about six blind men who are asked to describe an elephant. One feels the trunk and thinks the elephant is like a large snake. Another wraps his arms around the elephant’s leg and says the elephant is like a tree trunk. Another holds its tail and describes the elephant as being like a strong rope. The parable goes on-and-on and several versions are available on the internet.

I thought of this parable today after a member of a well-known world-wide church called to ask what she and her organization could do to help. The parable came up because of my experiences with members of this church over the years.

Fifteen years ago some were in the forefront of legal action to close down part of our operations in Arizona. Others have told me privately that the community doesn’t want us here in Mesa. Yet, still others have provided us with thousands of dollars worth of clothing vouchers so our clients can be presentable while looking for work. And some have come to our offices to ask what they can do to help and have brought hundreds of shaving kits and personal hygiene items for our clients.

So back to the lady who called. She said a friend in the church had been helping us for a few years and that her group would like to also help. We spoke for 15 minutes or so and settled on a project for her group – providing gift bags of personal care items for the women’s program for Christmas.

I never refuse help as I believe we shouldn’t break the cycle of giving – even when it’s from an organization that leaves me confused. And something I’ve come to realize over the years is that no organization is a monolith that always presents a seamless belief or philosophy. I think the members of this church who were trying to close us down believed what they were doing was good – that they were trying to rid the city of a bad element. That they were mistaken doesn’t necessarily mean they’re hateful – maybe just folks who didn’t realize we’re pretty much like anyone else with problems.

So, we’ll take their help and be grateful.