The word comprehend, as defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, is to understand. The dictionary also says that the word comprehend is a verb, or a word that expresses action or existence. I know that at certain times, the action of comprehending something is directly related to the expression of the legitimacy within our human existence. To comprehend is to win, and everyone loves to win. The feeling of winning accompanied by a sense of accomplishment is such a satisfying and gratifying statement of worth. Whether that win, or ultimately that tangible accomplishment was something that was done in a larger public realm for all to see, or just a small personal victory, the feeling remains the same; the sense of worth remains the same. Yet what happens when there is no ability to comprehend? Does our validity as functioning, self-sustaining humans disappear? Are we sent into a tailspin because our feelings and perceptions of potential victory are no longer tangible?

I know in my life, to comprehend is to dominate and have victory. Being a very competitive individual from a young age, I grew up craving victory. Victory brings realness to the situation. However the past five years have brought me a different set of victories that have ultimately shifted my personal sense of worth and accomplishment from what is seen and tangible to what is unseen, but yet felt. There was another one of those victories in October, and I would like to briefly relay the story to all of you…

I had a meeting with church in Chicago’s loop one morning, and as I take public transportation everywhere, being on time can sometimes be a hassle. Therefore to assure my promptness, I always leave myself ample commute time. This day however I arrived at my destination 30 minutes early. I sat down outside the church and just started to watch all of the frantic people of Chicago’s loop walk to work. About 5 minutes later an older lady walked up to me and asked me if I was lonely. She was wearing a very baggy sweater, tattered sweat pants and Keds shoes with no socks. She looked homeless, but I did not ask. She ended up sitting down next to me and we began to talk. For 30 minutes we talked about everything; the weather, the Cubs not being in the playoffs and why I was sitting outside a church. As my meeting time rolled around we stood up, thanked each other for the conversation, and began to go our separate ways. A few steps into it, she stopped turned around and came back to me. She reached out her hand to shake mine, and as we shook I felt something. I looked, and there in my hand was a $100 bill. I looked at her with amazement and disbelief?! Why was a homeless woman giving a man in a suit $100? As tears began to accumulate in my eyes, she said, “This is for your organization. I don’t have much, and this is from my savings and I need to give it to you for you to do your work.” As soon as she said that she turned around and quickly walked away, waving her hand behind her like a beauty queen.

I am telling this story to prove a point. Can I ever in my wildest dreams even try to comprehend what that $100 could have meant to her…no, I can’t. Can I ever comprehend why in the world an individual who looks homeless would do something like that…no, I can’t. But what I can comprehend is that victory in this life and the next is not won through comprehension, not won through wins and loses, but rather victory is won in the belief that our Lord comprehends for us as we walk and believe in the power of His love.

Thank you and God Bless,

Andrew Marin