Banging Change

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,
   and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

I first met Ryan in December 1993. I was meeting my fiance's family over Christmas break in Michigan. Of course, I was trying to make a good impression. I think I did all right - though Ryan wasn't exactly the one I was most focused on.

Perhaps the fact that he was only five years old played a role in that.

I remember his smile, and his speed, from then. Boy, could he run fast :) Hubby and I married in May of 1994, and moved to Michigan three months later. We weren't living in Ryan's back yard, but we did see him on occasion. Nice kid. Fun. Cute as a button. Crazy. But we were never close.

I recently got a chance to learn a whole lot about him - about his love of movie making, about his passion for the homeless, about how devoted he was to his friends. And he inspired me.

As I learned more and more about him, one phrase continually popped up: "Bang Change." This was something he did regularly. He would take the change from his pockets, and throw it against a building, most often in the rougher parts of town, saying "Bang Change," leaving it for someone hungry enough to pick it up. That way, no one had to lose dignity, or feel grateful or indebted to him.

I wanted to tell him how much I admired him for that. What a creative, and powerful, way it was to help those in need. That I would make a point of doing that very thing. But I couldn't.

at the crash site - see all the change?

Because I found out these things about him at his funeral. My nephew, Ryan "Kinch Kid" Lennox died in a car crash on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 at the young, young age of 23. At the visitation (which I was unable to attend) the floor became covered with coins his friends had dropped in his memory. And "bang change" was a continual refrain at his funeral, which I was able to attend last Friday. Many of his friends (and he had MANY) are vowing to continue to "bang change" regularly as a way to carry on his memory. And I'm one of them.

Jesus wants us to be kind to the poor. To help the widow and the orphan. And there are many ways we can do this. But I can honestly say I've never heard of this one before - and it's easy to do. And, as a bonus (to me and my family, anyway), it honors the memory of a passionate, laid-back, wonderful young man who just might change the world - even though he's no longer on it.

God did not give us specific instructions on HOW to help others - but he did say "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)


I'm certainly not God, but I think He would approve.


**

What kind of impact are YOU having on the poor? What do you think of Banging Change? Hug your kids - and make sure you get to know those close to you - or you could learn about them at their funeral.
Stop by Living by Grace and we can chat a bit!



Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength