When you pull into a grocery store parking lot and a man comes up to you asking for change, how do you usually respond? If you're like me, most of the time you dismiss them and say "sorry." I would love to be able to feed the homeless in my town with whatever extra change I have but the truth is, there is no extra change. And I'll admit that when I see the same woman asking for change for three years straight claiming she's pregnant and needs to feed her unborn child, it gets annoying. What I'd like to do is give that woman some tips on how to pan handle more effectively but that isn't really the right thing to do, is it?
I actually enjoy giving these people money when I can, but I'm picky about who I choose to help. Years ago, I befriended several of the homeless wandering around California's Mendocino. I got to know these guy's stories and I knew what they did with the money they scrounged for. If I listened to the buzz on the streets, I could hear the wealthy tourists talk about how they know for a fact that these people begging for change for a cup of coffee, actually have homes of their own and drive nice cars. That is a myth that came from someone too selfish to care about the truth. I don't think we should have to give these people money... I think it's a personal preference. It actually makes me feel good to give something if I can. If I can't, I don't sweat it. I'd give my homeless pals rides or buy them lunch, and in the simple gestures of kindness, we forged very strong forever lasting bonds. Once, several years ago, my wife and I were having dinner at a favorite eatery and we noticed a guy sitting in the lawn of this place. I just walked up to him and handed him $10. He was extremely grateful. We went in and had dinner and I didn't think about it again until we were leaving and he came up to me with this little wire cross that he twisted together just for me. There was talent in that man. I've seen craftsmanship like this before at art fairs and I am telling you that I got off pretty cheap for $10. He also showered me with "thank you" and "God bless you, sir" and I may be wrong in this, but I think it made me happier than it made him. It felt really good.
Well, just the other day, I saw a man sitting by the grocery store eating noodles in a cup and drinking a nice hot coffee. He had a rolled up blanket and a suitcase with all his worldly belongings beside him. As I walked up, I watched him drop his breakfast on the ground and he looked shattered. Hunger does strange things to people. It's one of the most desperate feelings known to man. I reached out and handed this guy $8. He was very appreciative and when I asked him his name, he paused for a minute. He said his name was Mac and asked mine. I told him my name and said that now he could get something to replace the food he lost. I went in and did my shopping and that was the end of it. Mac was at the store a few days ago, as well. When he saw me, he waved and called me by name. He told me that his name was really Pete but because he didn't know me, he didn't want to tell me who he really was. I smiled and accepted that for what it was. He reached into his pocket and pulled out $3. He said he wanted to pay me back for the money he borrowed from me, the day he dropped his noodles. Talk abut a tear jerker. As of the writing of this blog, I am a struggling father with no job, trying to feed my family... but I'm still better off than this man, and here he was trying to pay me back for money he felt was borrowed. I told him to keep and and I shook his hand. Now, every time I see him, he waves and he tells people nearby, "that's Eblison!"
You don't have to feed the hungry or cloth the homeless... it isn't your responsibility. But it helps more than just one person if you do. I'm not trying to preach or guilt anyone into doing something they don't want to, but I'm telling you that giving to the needy is a good thing... and good things always come back.
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