The most wonderful thing happened to me this afternoon. I had just finished having lunch with a dear sweet friend, Hiedi, who is such an inspirational person. And it was just what I needed because spiritually speaking, I've been at a low bottom lately. And, as I knew it would, spending time with Hiedi lifted my spirits greatly! What a blessing she is!
So here I was, on Cloud 9 1/2, when I pulled out of the restaurant parking lot and got in line at the traffic light nearby. I was fairly far back but I thought I'd probably make it through. As I was counting the cars ahead of me, I suddenly noticed what I supposed was a "homeless person". I say "homeless" because he was sitting in the grass in the Alabama heat, no shade, with a hand-written cardboard sign held up. I saw most of the words, which read, "returning home broke anything will help". There were other words, but I couldn't make them out.
I sat there, momentarily pulled out of my counting mindset, wondering if I should give him money. I usually don't in this type of situation where someone is outside my car. But we were in broad daylight so I wasn't worried about that particular aspect. "Should I help him?" I asked myself again. I just wasn't certain.
He looked very healthy and clean kept, not at all the "look" of a homeless person, and in the blink of an eye, the thought came to me that he looked healthy enough to be working. Come to think of it, that's what he should be doing right now, I thought, rather than sitting and begging for money! And in those few seconds I primarily made up my mind not to give him anything. But I immediately felt guilty and after feeling so good such a short time ago, I wasn't willing to give it up so easily. So I said to myself, "Fine. I'll leave it up to God. If He wants me to give this man money, it will happen."
Then the light changed and we started forward. But just as I was nearing the front of the line, the light changed back to red and I had to stop - only one car back from the light!
"Great!" I thought to myself. "Now I'll have to sit and look at him!" So I sat there, deliberately looking forward, not making eye contact, hoping the man wouldn't get up and approach me. Then I remembered my thoughts a moment before, about leaving it up to God. And it was at that precise moment that calm, quiet and deliberate words entered my thoughts. "Help without judging."
I realized then what I had to do, so I reached for my purse and pulled out $10.00. I remember thinking I could spare that, and who knew? It just might help. So I rolled down my window and called to him.
"Sir? He got up and walked over to me.
"I've got $10.00." I said, as I put my hand out with the money.
He took it from my hand and thanked me, and I responded with, "Good luck." But I thought to myself, "Ten dollars won't get him very far." Still . . . I felt good about what I did.
Remembering God's words, I said a quick prayer of thanks and made the sign of the Cross as I ended the prayer. It as then that I looked in my rear view mirror. A man in another truck about three vehicles back held out his hand with money in it. The "homeless man" quickly walked back and took the money. Then a lady in a car closer to me also held out her hand with money in it. Again, the "homeless man" walked quickly to retrieve it.
I suddenly felt so humbled, and so thankful, that God had allowed me to be a part of that gift giving. And maybe, just maybe, God allowed me to help others come to that same decision - of helping without judging. In giving, I had indeed received much!
I don't know how much the man was able to leave with, or if he was even "the genuine article". But it really doesn't matter at all. What is important is that God showed me a lovely way of giving, and allowed me to help someone in need. Tears came to my eyes and a lump formed in my throat as the light changed and I started driving again.
God works in mysterious ways! And you never know when you're going to have the pleasure of meeting Him!
For His Sake, Amen
Jan
