News » Today’s City Story
Birthday Cake to Remember
March 22nd, 2010
How many of us take birthday parties for granted? For me, my mother has decorated a birthday cake each year throughout my childhood, and even into adulthood. Nearly every year, around April 3, we would gather with extended family to celebrate, complete with cake and ice cream (and if Grandpa was feeling generous, even shrimp). Love-and presents-abounded.
But what if my family didn’t have the resources to put on what might be seen as an elaborate party? What if my dad didn’t have the job to supply the income for cake and ice cream? A few weeks ago, I caught a glimpse of what that life might be like. Across the street from our office and housing site is a Safeway grocery store. One day, while heading over to shop for food for our groups, I nearly ran into a man who was sprinting across the busy street, nearly getting hit by the oncoming cars. Curious as to why this man was hurrying, I looked at what he was carrying. The lid of a boxed birthday cake flew open, and in the other hand, he had a gallon of ice cream. Was he late for his daughter’s birthday party? The next man I saw run around the corner answered my question: It was the store’s security guard pursuing the shoplifter who had stolen the cake and ice cream. Was it wrong to take the goods from the store? Sure. Would I have done the same thing in the man’s situation? I don’t know. Put yourselves in the man’s shoes: imagine the different scenarios that could have take place. The man may have just lost his job (not uncommon lately) a few days before his child’s birthday. Perhaps his family’s landlord had evicted them. Who knows? I would have gladly paid for the man’s party supplies, had he only asked. Heck, I probably would have thrown in chocolate syrup and cherries. But how was he to know that? He didn’t know me, and I didn’t see his need until it was too late. Thankfully, Jesus knows us. He sees our needs and meets them- even if we don’t think to ask. We don’t need to run out feeling like a criminal because Jesus gave us something priceless. His gifts are priceless, and they are also free.Chris Winkler, Associate City Director
San Francisco (2002-2005)
Center for Student Missions
