When it comes to what we give, it is usually a matter of the moment. Very few people are willing to reach in to their pockets and hand over a few dollars to someone on the side of the road. No. We would rather put that person down, judge them, or even worse…pretend they just do not exist. Let it be a fancy purse, or an unnecessary piece of the latest electronic, and we are all over it. Rather selfish really.
Now, this is not every one by any means. There is a huge majority that falls into this category, though. We see them there, standing on the side of the road. Usually men and they’ve got their signs out, “Will work for food”, “Homeless. Help Please. God Bless" or some other sign to that nature. They stand where they will have the most luck, but 9 out of 10 people ignore them. For a long time, I did as well. That changed and now I take more notice.
I am not sure when it changed. Maybe it was the passing of my uncle. That man spent the majority of his life being homeless. Hitchhiking through various states of the US, trying to find where he belonged. He spent his last year sleeping in a tent in someone’s backyard (that is a soapbox for another rant) and then the hospital and then a nursing home until he came to peace with passing. At least I am assuming he came to peace…that is what I like to believe. Either way, maybe that had a little something to do with it or maybe my change is just the reality of the golden rule.
I don’t like to think that I am above anyone. We all have our faults and we all have our stories. I don’t know why my uncle chose to live the way that he did. I also cannot help but wonder if maybe more people had lent a hand, things could have ended differently for him. Had he not been left to live in a tent that last year before going into the hospital, would the signs of his sickness been more apparent? That is neither here nor there as we cannot change the past, but what if it was us?
The economy is changing and nothing is ever certain. In a blink of an eye, we could lose everything and then what? Would we really have a lot of people that would go out of their way to help us? Then there is the question of exactly how much would they help us. Some of us do have those that would bend over backwards to help us, but not all of us are that fortunate. So, what if it was us?
My thinking is, if it was me and I was cold, I would hope someone would be willing over to hand out an extra blanket. If I was hungry, I would hope that someone could spare a few dollars. I would also like to hope that I would never end up in that situation, but the truth is that we do not know what God has in store for us. There is a greater power at work and it holds all the cards.
We do not know what leads someone to their current situation. We do not know why the homeless guy on the street corner, holding the “Homeless. Please help. God Bless” sign had happen in his life. We could easily judge him. Say that he should have worked harder or that he should have done this and that, but is it honestly that simple? Living the way that I live and seeing the things that I see….I am going to have to go with no.
I’m also going to have to go with God has a warped reward system. Some of the nicest and most awesome people I know seem to be struggling worse than those that could probably use a few less blessings (and we’ll leave it at that). However, again God’s reward system is a complete different rant. My point is…we do not know what someone has done in their life and we do not know if it is as easy to solve as it is to say.
So, I leave you with this thought. I’ve heard many of people gripe about the lack of money for this and that. Yet, I see them spending this and that on ridiculous items (either because the price makes them ridiculous or because the item itself is seriously absurd). I’ve also watched those same people turn their nose up at this person that could probably truly use their help versus someone that could probably more likely use a kick in the butt. Our priorities are often jacked the muck up.
We do not know someone’s story and the truth is it is not ours to know. Everything happens for a reason and sometimes us seeing them on the side of the road, is our test. How good of a person are you? If you see someone scraggly that needs a ride to the end of the road in 90 degree weather, are you going to give them a lift? Most are saying no, because unfortunately the jack nuts out there have made that a dangerous game. I trust my gut and cannot say that I give everyone a ride, but 7 out of ten times, I will pull over. Yes, only 7…I’m a single woman so come on. If someone just needs a warm cup of coffee, are you going to give them a few dollars to get one? How about some food? A blanket?
I know that some would, but most will not. It is sad about that and I propose this. We do not know their story as they do not know ours. However, if it was one of us or a friend, a family member that ended up needing a little extra hope…wouldn’t you want someone to help them? To help us? I’m guessing probably so. Karma is a mother trucker and she doesn’t play games. Might want to make note of that; especially, the next time you see that homeless man on the side of the road and you have a few extra dollars to spare (or even if you don't). Just sayin'.
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