Saturday, January 8, 2011

Until You Walk a Mile in Their Shoes....

I had the most eye opening, humbling experience this morning. At times we get so caught up in our own little worlds that it's easy to forget what others are going through. Sometimes I fuss, worry, complain about my life, my struggle with money, or the fact that it seems like we're in a constant battle with our older home....but do I have a place to call home-yes. Do we have the money to pay our bills and to put food on the table-yes. Do both my husband and I wake up every morning and have jobs to go to-yes.
Here we are excited and wishing for this snow storm to come! Possible 10 inches...wow! Never once thinking about who may be effected by the storm because they don't have a home.
We walked into the store this morning to stock up on groceries and grab a couple of things that we need and the first thing I spotted was a man bundled in ragged clothing sitting in the cafe area. I knew he looked homeless and was probably sitting there trying to get out of the bone chilling wind. As we were roaming the store I kept glancing over there to see if by chance he had gotten up and left...but he hadn't. That's when I decided I couldn't just glance over and feel bad but do nothing. I grabbed a foot long sub, a loaf of bread, a bag of oranges, and some chips. I paid for this food separately and then decided to walk over there. I was a little nervous. What if he wasn't homeless and I totally offend someone who is just taking a break. I walk up to him and start to hand him the bag, saying hello and he looks confused. I asked if he'd like lunch and he begins to cry telling me he hasn't eaten in 3 days. I asked him if he had a place to go for the snow and he just shook his head. I don't normally carry cash on me but it just so happened I had a little. I don't know why he is homeless...That's not for me to judge. I dug in my purse and handed him a little bit of money and told him to go find somewhere and keep himself warm. Take care of you!! And he just cried saying, "God Bless You."
I walked away in tears wishing I could do more.
What's the point of this story?? Just when you think you have it bad. That you work for nothing and that life is a constant battle trying to work against you...Think of others. Someone out there has it much worse than you do. Walk a mile in their shoes before you judge them.

7 comments:

  1. I am your newest follower and I love this post. Thanks for the encouraging words on my blog. Cant wait to read more of yours :)
    xoxo Jess

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  2. Well said, my friend. Thanks for sharing.

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  3. Wow, amazing post. I've been thinking along those lines too lately.

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  4. This is a great post and a great reminder.

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  5. Touching, Jess. There are so many needs in our own back yards. I often wonder why we seem to focus so much time, energy, money, and air-time to people in places so far away.

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  6. I am so thankful you remind me of this. Stop and think about their circumstances. Our lives seem much better then, don't they? You are a blessing.

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  7. Wow! W/O a Calander widget it is hard to get to older posts!

    What I TRIED to post:

    Jess, knowing you as well as I do , I know that was a brave thing for you to approach the homeless man. This was such an act of compassion; an outward sign of what is in your heart to overflowing. Giving this man a sandwich not only blessed him, but it blessed you as well. You were feeding his soul as well as his body. He was probably so used to being ignored, and just the fact that someone bothered to care, to talk to him, was in itself a gift to him...and the lunch was a bonus! I am sure that some churches will open their doors for people who have no where to go in this frigid weather. If everyone practiced this kind of random act of kindness, the world would be such a better place!

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