I debated for a couple days whether to share this experience or not, and finally decided I ought to. Please keep in mind I’m not bragging or trying to gain favor or brownie points or “good for you” applause. It’s just something that happened and has made an impact.
When my dd and I were out shopping Saturday, we were pulling out of a shopping center parking lot. We had just bought some groceries and were coming home. I saw a man sitting on a rock facing a large sign. At first I thought he might be waiting on someone or fixing the sign. But as I got closer, he appeared to be homeless. He was dirty, ragged, and thin. And he looked very cold.
A thought popped into my head like a brick in my lap…Go see if he wants something to eat.
I ignored the thought. I’ve never stopped and done something like that. I put change in Salvation Army buckets and stuff like that, but never stopped to help a homeless person out. So I kept driving.
Then the thought popped back into my head like a load of bricks on my lap….Go back and see if he wants something to eat.
Ok, fine, I’ll go back. I turned into the next entrance of the shopping center and pulled up to the man. My dd asked what I was doing; I told her I felt I needed to do something real quick.
I rolled down the window and asked, “Are you ok?”
The man turned and looked at me for a second. For a second I wondered if he was mental and was gonna do soemthing crazy.
“Yeah, I’m ok.”
“Do you need anything?”
He paused for a couple more seconds. I would have loved to know what was going on inside his head. “There’s a Burger King up the street. I could use a couple bucks to get something to eat.”
“I’ve got a bagel and a couple oranges. Would that work?”
“Yeah, that’d be great!” At this point he stood up and took a couple steps toward me.
I grabbed a few dollars and stepped out of the car. I handed him the money and walked to the back to open it up. He followed me. He saw and heard my baby “talking.”
“Oh, you got a little one in there?”
“Yep, I’ve got 3 actually.”
“Aww, they’re so cute at that age.”
Then we talked about the weather for a minute as I opened the bag of oranges and the big deli bagel I had bought. I handed him my bagel and 2 oranges.
“Thanks so much for all this.”
“Yeah, no problem.”
He walked back to his rock with lunch and a few bucks for dinner and I got back in the car. My dd said, “Good Mommy.”
I drove home in my new car. I drove home to a warm house. To my loving family. To a refrigerator full of food. To my warm bed. And my warm clothes. To a tree decorated with lights and a pile of gifts.
I was truly humbled Saturday. I have so much and I gave so little. I wish I had thought about buying him a warm pair of gloves or a sweater.
Think of those around you. Keep your eyes open to someone who may need you. I assure you, if you look, you’ll find someone. And you’ll be more blessed than they will if you help. It’s Christmas.
What a great thing you did! And what a positive influence you are on your little ones. Sometimes it takes such experiences to remind us of what we have.
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What a wonderful thing to do. We are all so truly blessed.
Lydia @ On The Verges last blog post..Monday Is My Friday
that was a truly humbling experience. yeah, i had the same close incident like what u had encountered and indeed, it felt a different joy within to be able to share even a little. we have much u know. 🙂
recels last blog post..Gotta Find One!
This is a great story! The Christmas season reminds us of how we should treat people all year round. It further reminds us of how blessed we are with the simple things in life.
Davida
Davidas last blog post..What Are Your Most Important Factors In Selecting a Mate?
What a wonderful way to share some of what you have with someone in need. You should feel proud of yourself and the example you set for your children.
Rhondas last blog post..Holiday Countdown- Daily Money Saving Tip
This is very sweet. You did a great thing there.
What a nice thing you did. We should all count our blessings this time of year and all year long. Giving is a great thing to do and it feels better than getting. Cheers!
How beautiful! THanks for sharing.
Melissas last blog post..Weekend Top 5
What a wonderful thing to do and what a great way to inspire your children. This is another example of you teaching them the true Christmas spirit.
Annes last blog post..Shopping Before Christmas
What a good example (in a small way) of the true Christmas Spirit! Helping and loving others is truly the best gift Jesus wants from us. “Breakfast At Sally’s” by Richard LeMieux (written by a homeless person when he was homeless) is a great book that changed my view about the homeless. I highly recommend it!
Karen, author of “My Funny Dad, Harry”s last blog post..Spunky Doodle Helps Set Up The Natvity Set
The same thing happened to us yesterday. Only, the man approached my husband and asked for a dollar. He gave him ten and wished the old man a merry Christmas. My husband makes it a point to help the street people however much he can and I admire him for it. The fact that there are people like you makes giving more meaningful. It doesn’t matter how little you think you gave, what counts is you helped.
That is awesome of you. 🙂 I get nervous and afraid… but then I have anxiety when it comes to talking to anyone. My husband is actually really good at helping out those who need it.
Cynthias last blog post..A House on Ten Acres
Beautiful story. It really is a humbling experience when you realize that life isn’t all about you and your own comfort. You got more blessings out of that than you would doing lots of other things. Thanks for sharing.
Ritas last blog post..Ideas
If you only knew!!!!! Without going into detail, because it could last for days, someone very close to me has been battling life on the streets for years and I know how much it means to people in that situation when a caring person stops and offers “so little”. Believe me, to them it is “so much”. Bless you for taking the time to do something so simple to you, but so meaningful to him.
People don’t realize that not all homeless people are in that situation because of drugs and/or alcohol. Sometimes, it is much more cruel than that.
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Funny you bring this up. I was just at the market last night to get cat food…yeah…had to, we were out. Anyway, a person obviously down on his luck was sitting outside, but I was on a mission to get cat food. I come out with a $5 ready to hand it to him and he was gone. Nowhere to be seen unfortunately.
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Bless your thoughtful mind and your kind heart. Hope that man will meet another one that has big heart like you.
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Thank you all so much.
I think I was able to help because I had the food and the cash on hand. I guess we should always just be ready in case the opportunity comes.
I’m glad you did write about this. It’s not about tootin’ your own horn. It’s about sharing an experience and moving others to want to do the same. I love your dd’s comment; Good Mommy. And just think what she learned in the process. Merry Christmas!
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