Who Feels It, Knows It

Nobody was born rich; we all came here with nothing. If you’ve ever been poor, then it will be easy for you to understand that there are people who go to bed without a taste of any food.
If you have ever been poor, you’ll understand some people can’t handle the rent in the ghettos.
If you’ve ever been poor, you will understand why some people can’t afford a new dress.

If you’ve ever been poor, you’ll understand why some fathers can’t send their children to school.
If you’ve ever been poor, you’ll understand that fear and worries are the closest neighbours of the poor.
Who feels it, knows it.

If you haven’t ever felt hungry, you can’t know some people have nothing to eat, who go to work every day, but the wages aren’t enough to afford a meal and a comfortable life.
When we become too comfortable in life, we lose the ability to see that there are people who aren’t comfortable.

It’s difficult to see people who are standing without seats when we are so relaxed. When we become too comfortable in life, we can’t see the people who are close to suicide due to the troubles and frustrations of life – who feels it knows it.

Do you know that a plate of food can save a life? So why not give it?
I speak to two sets of people here, those who are considering suicide due to the troubles of life that are never-ending, and those who have been blessed to help them but shut their hearts to do nothing.

You were once poor, but mercy separated you from the dungeon of poverty and gave you comfort. Why not look back and remember the people who are still in the dungeon? They don’t have to be your brother, sister or friend; they just have to be human.

Do you understand me? You felt it, so you know it. Why do you keep a long face like you were never poor? Why do you now segregate? Why do you shift and draw a line between you and the poor?
You were once poor, I knew you, and God separated you from the midst of poverty to help those who are still trapped behind the doors of poverty. What did you do? I saw you draw a line, I heard you say you have nothing to do with poor people, a phase of life God lifted you away from.

You’ll be more comfortable in your comfort when you help those who aren’t comfortable to be comfortable, remember it isn’t by our efforts but by the mercy of God that separated you from the closet of poverty, you felt what it means to be poor, still feel it for the people still there.

Unweb your heart, unchain you hands and reach out the much you can, there are people whose story will change because you gave them a plate of food, don’t you know? How many plates of food did the widow give the prophet?

It isn’t common for the rich to help the poor, because it seems like a tale to feel it or understand someone can’t afford a meal for a day.

To be concerned and have a feeling that some people go through hard times, and you’re able to reach out and help is a gift. I call it compassion; it’s a rare gift.
Do you ever feel it? Do you ever know it?

– Kanayo Ebuka