The Homeless Lady by Ikea
On my way to Ikea the other day, I came upon the same homeless people that always stand on the corner of this large intersection. One stands on the corner of the off-ramp, whereas the other stands in the center of the median on the cross street. They stand with their cardboard signs stating, "Homeless, God Bless, Vietnam Veteran" or the woman's sign that reads, " Please help me, I need food."
As they stand there I always am compelled to hand over a buck or two. And every time I see them I wish that I had a brown bag filled with food or shoes or blankets to hand over. I see countless cars around me rolling down the window to slide a buck or two to them, and they smile and say "thank you."
But I never give a cent.
As I sit in my car, I know I have the spare money to hand over. It is not going to affect me in the least to give even five dollars to these people begging for any extra money, so what gives? I sit there and debate whether or not they are going to use it for drugs or alcohol or food. I argue with myself as to whether or not I am helping them or killing them with the money I may pass through my window. I debate as to whether or not they "deserve" to be given money.
I see countless shows with homeless people telling their stories of hard luck, lost jobs, families living on the streets and always want to help help help. But here I sit, on the off-ramp of the highway, completely able to help these homeless people, and I debate whether or not they are going to use the money for a Meredyth-approved cause. As if it really matters what that woman does with the $1 I give her? As if it really matters if she buys a cheeseburger or a pack of cigarettes?
If I had a life history on these individuals would I be more apt to give over a $20? If I knew their parents abused them, they tried to have a normal life and failed, would I be more likely to roll down my window? Do I use their possible drug problem to justify not helping out a person less fortunate than me?
Or am I scared they could do something to me if I roll down my window? Am I worried that I could "catch" something?
Which makes me think of Princess Diane and their countless people that she would visit and hold and help. Did she care what each individuals back-story was, or did she just go where she was needed?
Does it matter that the guys claims to be a Vietnam Vet? Does it matter that the other homeless person is a woman? Or should I just give because I can?
As my car pulls forward to the light, I pray that I don't get stopped by a red light that will put me directly in front of the homeless person. Forced to pay attention to their flimsy cardboard sign or anything else in my car that I can appear to pay attention to. As I near the intersection, I pray for a green light so as to force my decision to not have to make a decision. Slowly my car moves forward as I tense up and ask myself for the hundredth time, "so should I give them money?"
Is "giving at the office" enough? Is giving to charity enough? Or should we also be handing out singles to the local homeless people on the street? Is it ok to give money to the saxophone player on the corner because he has talent, but not the one-legged man in front of the restaurant? Is it fair to wonder if my money is going to buy drugs or fast-food? Does any of it matter?
The American King James Bible states that Jesus said, "...Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me." Which means....what you do, say, help, give, are kind to, etc. the very LEAST of the people on Earth, you are actually doing to me.
So I guess this means I am rolling down the window next time? For if a drug addict, a homeless person, an alcoholic or a person who has just fallen on hard times, is the very least of our brothers, then I should treat THEM as I would treat Jesus. It is not for me to judge, it is for me to love and help. God can handle with them what they do with the money. I should just be thankful that I am able to give it.
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As they stand there I always am compelled to hand over a buck or two. And every time I see them I wish that I had a brown bag filled with food or shoes or blankets to hand over. I see countless cars around me rolling down the window to slide a buck or two to them, and they smile and say "thank you."
But I never give a cent.
As I sit in my car, I know I have the spare money to hand over. It is not going to affect me in the least to give even five dollars to these people begging for any extra money, so what gives? I sit there and debate whether or not they are going to use it for drugs or alcohol or food. I argue with myself as to whether or not I am helping them or killing them with the money I may pass through my window. I debate as to whether or not they "deserve" to be given money.
I see countless shows with homeless people telling their stories of hard luck, lost jobs, families living on the streets and always want to help help help. But here I sit, on the off-ramp of the highway, completely able to help these homeless people, and I debate whether or not they are going to use the money for a Meredyth-approved cause. As if it really matters what that woman does with the $1 I give her? As if it really matters if she buys a cheeseburger or a pack of cigarettes?
If I had a life history on these individuals would I be more apt to give over a $20? If I knew their parents abused them, they tried to have a normal life and failed, would I be more likely to roll down my window? Do I use their possible drug problem to justify not helping out a person less fortunate than me?
Or am I scared they could do something to me if I roll down my window? Am I worried that I could "catch" something?
Which makes me think of Princess Diane and their countless people that she would visit and hold and help. Did she care what each individuals back-story was, or did she just go where she was needed?
Does it matter that the guys claims to be a Vietnam Vet? Does it matter that the other homeless person is a woman? Or should I just give because I can?
As my car pulls forward to the light, I pray that I don't get stopped by a red light that will put me directly in front of the homeless person. Forced to pay attention to their flimsy cardboard sign or anything else in my car that I can appear to pay attention to. As I near the intersection, I pray for a green light so as to force my decision to not have to make a decision. Slowly my car moves forward as I tense up and ask myself for the hundredth time, "so should I give them money?"
Is "giving at the office" enough? Is giving to charity enough? Or should we also be handing out singles to the local homeless people on the street? Is it ok to give money to the saxophone player on the corner because he has talent, but not the one-legged man in front of the restaurant? Is it fair to wonder if my money is going to buy drugs or fast-food? Does any of it matter?
The American King James Bible states that Jesus said, "...Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me." Which means....what you do, say, help, give, are kind to, etc. the very LEAST of the people on Earth, you are actually doing to me.
So I guess this means I am rolling down the window next time? For if a drug addict, a homeless person, an alcoholic or a person who has just fallen on hard times, is the very least of our brothers, then I should treat THEM as I would treat Jesus. It is not for me to judge, it is for me to love and help. God can handle with them what they do with the money. I should just be thankful that I am able to give it.
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Meredyth how about next time you see them instead of giving them some money, go to McDonald's or some other fast food place and get them some food and take it back to them?
ReplyDeleteExcellent story! It's great to know that if it were not for a bible verse that you learned in sunday school, you wouldn't have been able to do a descent thing for your fellow man. Isn't it great that if we ever have a moral dilemma, all we have to do is let the bible do the thinking for us? Moral compass?? Who needs one?
ReplyDeleteI think it is more of a "it's not up to me to judge what a person does with this money" sort of dilema.
ReplyDeleteI have a strong moral compass which brought me to whether or not to give money to possibly go to drugs or some other "bad" habit.
It is not morality that takes the dollar out of our pocket, but selflessness. It is taking the ME out of the equation.
The Bible helps take the delima, the debate and the internal, social and emotional "problem" away, and makes it only about the spirit.
Presicely! It sifts through all the cumbersome language, logic, discussions, and reasoning, and leaves us with what is really important: "spirit". I'll hope in the future that one day you will pull over, get out of your car, walk over to one of the two human beings that you pass up frequently (here comes the tricky part) and talk to them. It's funny how a simple "what is your name?" can lead to a conversation. Once the ice is broken, offer a business card with local charities, you can even write down your name for a reference on the card. this can help with food/clothing/shelter love is free. Get involved.
ReplyDeleteSimply...judge not, lest you be judged. Those who live in glass houses, shouldn't throw stones. Let he, who is without sin, cast the first stone... Regardless of one's station in life, a human is a human. There is a good possiblity that life on the side of the highway is a person's living...but who cares...that is THEIR choice to make.
ReplyDeleteOnce, when I had first moved to the downtown area of the city I live in....I was trying to lift a VERY heavy box in to the trunk of my car. There was a homeless man that was making a Bline right toward me. He stopped and helped me load the box in to my car. Since it wouldn't fit in the trunk, he helped my slide it in to the back seat. He held the box and slid himself in to the car....as I held up and pushed the other end, the only thing my eyes could focus on was my purse at his feet. My blood pressure was rising. It was a few months before my wedding and we had our checks for our equity line of credit in it. When the package was completely in the car, he exited and began to walk away. I called him back to thank him. I slid my hand in my jeans pocket and pulled out the only money I had on my person. It was a $20.00 bill. I handed it over to him and he hesitated. He looked at me and said "really?!" I said, "yes, without your help, I would have been stranded." He replied "Thank you, very much. Today is my birthday" While I didn't believe him, I wished him happy birthday. That next Monday (I was there on a Saturday) I got to my car that was parked in the very same parking spot only to find a yellow rose on the windshield w/a note that simply said "thank you". To this day, I still get chills thinking about it. It restored my faith in humanity.
I agree...I feel the same way. We do not give money, but Geoff and I have give them food. Great post.
ReplyDeleteAwww...and I love the comment above me.