Last Sunday on the way to church I was stopped at a red
light, waiting awkwardly for it to change. It was awkward because a homeless
man was standing just a few feet away from me with a sign asking for help. I
smiled, but didn’t want to make eye contact for too long. He was a veteran, not
an alcoholic, just needing some spare change, according to his tattered
cardboard sign.
light, waiting awkwardly for it to change. It was awkward because a homeless
man was standing just a few feet away from me with a sign asking for help. I
smiled, but didn’t want to make eye contact for too long. He was a veteran, not
an alcoholic, just needing some spare change, according to his tattered
cardboard sign.
I want to give him
something. I should give him something, but I only have a twenty in my wallet.
That’s too much. I have some food, but that’s for our church potluck, so that
won’t work. The “not an alcoholic” is probably a just a line and who knows how
he might waste $20.
something. I should give him something, but I only have a twenty in my wallet.
That’s too much. I have some food, but that’s for our church potluck, so that
won’t work. The “not an alcoholic” is probably a just a line and who knows how
he might waste $20.
Sadly, these were the thoughts going on in my head when Josie, interrupted.
“Mama, can we give that man some money? I smiled at him and
he smiled back. What does his sign say?”
he smiled back. What does his sign say?”
“No, Sweetie, not today.”
“But why?”
“We don’t give everyone we see on the side of the street
money.”
money.”
“But why not, if we have money? He looks sad.”
Why is this red light
taking so long? This is uncomfortable.
taking so long? This is uncomfortable.
The light changed to green as I smiled one more time and let
out a breath of relief. Josie moved on to talk about something else and I tried
to erase the worn-out man’s face from my mind.
out a breath of relief. Josie moved on to talk about something else and I tried
to erase the worn-out man’s face from my mind.
I used to have Josie’s generous, thoughtful heart. There was
a time not so long ago when I gave money anytime I saw someone in need, if I
had any cash on hand. Somewhere along the line I just stopped. Josie always
smiles, always waves, and they always do the same in return.
a time not so long ago when I gave money anytime I saw someone in need, if I
had any cash on hand. Somewhere along the line I just stopped. Josie always
smiles, always waves, and they always do the same in return.
I could definitely have survived without that $20. The
church potluck would have been just fine with one less bag of chips or loaf of
bread. I know there will be other people who will stop and give that man money,
but I missed out on an opportunity to show the love of Jesus in a practical and
generous way to my little girl. I’m thankful that God always gives us second
chances.
church potluck would have been just fine with one less bag of chips or loaf of
bread. I know there will be other people who will stop and give that man money,
but I missed out on an opportunity to show the love of Jesus in a practical and
generous way to my little girl. I’m thankful that God always gives us second
chances.
