For a few blogs I have shared how giving to others
less than us, Paying it forward.
Today I blog on giving too much,
being hoaxed.
I was at Walmart, buying things for my chili for
tomorrow's Pumpkin deco party.
While in the store had a cute conversation with a
little family, three little children, mommy and Daddy.
They were buying Play-dough and teasing
their Daddy about it, I guess Dad was not a fan of play-dough.
We went on our way and I checked out,
as I was loading my groceries in the car
a very thin, sickly woman was roaming the WM parking lot.
"I won't get close, can you help me out? A dollar, for a
sandwich? I don't want a ride but i am trying to
get to my sisters house in Addis..."
I so want to give her money but I have a feeling she
is not going to eat with it.
"I can't give you money, but I can go and get
you something to eat in Walmart or you can have these
crackers"
"No I really need the money as my stomach is sensitive"
it killed me to say,
"I am sorry, I don't give money to strangers but I
will buy you a sandwich" She walks away,
I call her back, I give her two dollars,
"Thank you so much!"
But she does not go into the store, she
continues to try and hustle others, I think,
"by the time I get this car loaded with groceries
and she still is bothering people I will go and
get my two bucks back and report her inside the store.
Then the little family I laughed with in Walmart
come out and the Husband spots her
"SADIE HOOD, I AM A POLICE OFFICER OF THIS
PARISH GET OFF THIS PROPERTY NOW OR
I WILL ARREST YOU"
She be-lines right out of there, I tell him, shoot I just
gave her money. He says loudly for all to hear,
"THAT WOMAN IS A KNOWN METH USER AND
PROSTITUTE, GIVE HER NOTHING"
"Yeah and give me my two bucks back I tell her as she passes
me, she pulls out my two dollars from her bra
and hands it to me with the meanest scowl on her face.
I look at the young family and say,
"I mean why didn't she just take my two dollars
and buy herself some play-dough, her life would be
so much better."
On one level I can surely understand your reaction to this woman. We all have a tendency to be judgemental. But this is not what God wants from us. Matthew 12:31 says that the second greatest commandment is "Love thy neighbor as thyself". And Matthew 25:40 says "That which you did for the least of these mine brothers and sisters, you did for Me".
ReplyDeleteJesus died for ALL sinners...each and every one of us. He didn't exclude prostitutes or drug abusers, and he loves this woman as much as he loves you.
We will never know what brought this woman to this point in her life, but we can surely say "there but for the grace of God go I", and maybe extend her a little mercy and compassion.
you are so right and I did struggle with my decision, I now wish I had gone in and bought her a sandwich, I do give to often to others but I guess because the drug thing threw me off and I am more of a tough love person My knee jerk reaction was "Get your money back" but after talking to Tiffany, my niece about it, I probably would handle it different if having the chance.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of touching that money after she pulled it out her bra! *gag*
ReplyDelete