I’m Passionate about Teaching My Children . . . Service to Others
Last week my children and I were visiting the doctor in a questionable part of town. (This doctor believes in caring for inner-city kids, which I love!) We were in a small strip mall, and I’d just loaded up all the kids when my 3-year-old daughter, Alyssa, noticed a man in a wheelchair approaching us. He was an older, African American man with only one leg. He was thin, but he had kind eyes. He motioned to me, and instead of starting my engine I rolled down the window.
“Ma’am, do you happen to have a few dollars for food? I’m so hungry.”
Personally, I don’t believe in giving out money. I’ve seen what it’s used for by those whose addictions have a hold of them, but I will—when it is possible—help with food.
“Sir, I don’t have cash to give you, but I have some food here.” And I did! It “just so happened” that after Bible study that morning, my leader gave me a sack lunch because she knew I couldn’t stay for fellowship. I handed over the sandwich and cinnamon rolls.
I also had donuts. You see, it also “just so happened” that I’d found a Mexican bakery that morning and had bought some special treats for my grandma. After handing over the lunch, I pulled the largest donut from the box and handed that over, too.
“Ma’am?” the man asked, his eyes bright. “Is this cream-filled?”
“I’m not sure, sir.”
He didn’t wait to check. He stuck his finger into the donut and a smile lit his face. “It is!” He thanked me, and then he rolled out of the way of the car and started eating that donut with gusto.
My children ages 6, 3, and 3had been quiet during the whole exchange. But as soon as we pulled out, Alyssa piped up, “Mom, we need to pray for that man!” And then, without hesitation, all three children began praying for him, out loud. It was like a mini tent revival happening in the backseat!
We’d driven just a few blocks away, when Bella, age 6, piped up next. “Mom, does that man have a home?”
I told her I didn’t know.
“Mom, we have to go back. We have to put him in our car!” Tears filled her eyes. “He can live with us, Mom. We have an extra bed!”
Tears filled my eyes, too, at her compassion. Yes, we did have an extra bed—the bottom bunk in her room. No, I wasn’t going to go get the man and have him sleep there, but we talked then about keeping extra snacks in the car for situations just like this.
Find out why I felt guilty while raising my three older children by clicking HERE.
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Love this, Tricia! We had a similar experience not too long ago with a man walking through a Sonic Parking lot. I often joke that we could feed the homeless population of Fort Worth with all of the snacks on the floor of the backseat of my car (but who would want a pile of goldfish scooped up from the floor?). It’s a great idea to keep snacks and water in the car for those times when our paths cross with those in need. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Jennifer! You never know how your simple deed with touch someone’s heart.
What a great story. Thanks for sharing these insights into your life, Tricia. You always put a smile on my face.
Blessings,
Andrea
Proofreader/Writer
writingtoinspire.blogspot.com
Thank you, Andrea!
Love the idea of keeping food/snacks in the car to share with others. I have a friend who made some sack lunches and then she and her children walked around downtown and handed them out to various street people who they encountered. She said it was an amazing experience. Thanks for bringing this back to my mind. I need to try this myself!
There are ways to do this safely. I know God will guide you!
I love this. We’ve had similar experiences, and we do keep snack bags with toiletries and water bottles in the car. Once, we were on an outing, and on our way back to our car, we walked by a man going through a trash can. Our son, then 15, asked if we could buy the man some food. He and his dad went to a Mc Donalds around the corner and bought a meal while the younger kids and I went to the car. Dad and son gave the man lunch, and we prayed for him on our way home. We will never forget that day and have reminded our son a number of times of that being his heart for people which is a great thing in helping them learn who God made them to be. Thanks for sharing!