Craig Clouston

 Poor by Choice

February 24

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3

This soon-to-be mother made up her mind and walked into the hospital. This

is the right choice, she told herself. She’d recently been downsized out of a job

and her medical benefits. Thinking only of the baby, she stepped to the registra-

tion counter and said, “I’m in labor. I’m not due for another two weeks, but my

water broke about an hour ago. I have no insurance and cannot promise you

when, but I will pay for this somehow.”

The receptionist called for the doctor on call and had a nurse assist the

young woman to an exam room. “Have you had any prenatal care, hon?” the

nurse asked. “Oh, yes,” she answered with a shy smile. “You see, I only lost my

job six weeks ago, and the coverage just ran out. I couldn’t afford to pay the

ongoing premiums.” With a smile that said she understood, the receptionist

chuckled and said, “We’ll worry about the bill later, hon. For now, let’s concen-

trate on bringing your child into the world. We have programs that will help,

so don’t you worry about that right now. Have you picked out names for the

little one yet?”

h

The self-sacrifice of motherhood wasn’t lost on the receptionist. She’d raised

four of her own. This young girl was putting the needs of her unborn child

ahead of her pride. She instinctively understood that self-sacrifice is the cry of

a mother’s heart, an ingrained willingness to put her children ahead of herself.

Being poor in spirit is not about financial destitution; it’s about making

the choice to go without for the sake of another. We are constantly faced with

this choice during the course of our lives. We can choose to allow pride and

fear to tell us, “Take care of numero uno!” or we can ask for kingdom eyes to

see the true needs around us, to look at others with spiritual discernment and

concern, to be poor in spirit for the sake of another.

Prayer

“Father, help me fight the selfish desire to meet my

needs ahead of those less fortunate. Help me to

see where I might be able to make a difference in

someone else’s life today. In Jesus Name, amen.”