Giving To Less Fortunate

Over the weekend I completed Week 2 of 12 Weeks of Giving.  We spent most of our time out of the home this weekend.  We visited a local pumpkin patch and attended the Disney Live event which was amazing.  While we were out and about we also ran a lot of errands.  At one point we were in the parking lot of a fast food place and saw a homeless man sitting under a tree.  It was quite sad to say the least.  I was glad to see he at least had a coat on to keep warm and had two bags of personal items he was carrying around, what looked like clothes and a blanket.  His hair was grown out and he had a full beard.  From the looks of it I’d say he had been homeless a while.  I reached in my wallet, grabbed out a $20 bill, got out of the car, walked over and handed it to him.

I’ve seen the news segments about people manipulating others and pretending to be homeless to get a free handout.  I didn’t feel that was the case this time.  If it was, oh well.  There have been many times I didn’t have an extra penny to spare.  Months where I wondered if my electricity was going to get shut off.  Matter of a fact that has happened countless number of times.  Fortunately this week I did have an extra $20 that I could pass along to someone less fortunate.  Maybe he bought beer, maybe he bought food or maybe he put it towards a night stay at the local Motel 6 or even a shower at the local truck stop.  However he spent it, I’m just thankful I was able to give it and for that moment make someone else feel extremely gracious.

How have you blessed someone else this week?  If you are a Christian, when was the last time you prayed for someone outside of your family?  A simple prayer a day can change a life.