“Do you have a dollar for gas?” she asked. “My children are waiting for me at school.”

My response was the pocket-pat-and-shrug combo and a “Sorry, I don’t have anything.”

I turned to close the back of our van after the woman left, and saw my four-year-old daughter looking at me. She knew we had money, and that we had just lied to this poor woman. I looked in shame at the packages we had just finished loading up from an hour or two of shopping.

Sometimes we’re paralyzed by our fear of being duped. Our fear of buying a homeless person a beer, some cigarettes, or even worse stifles the heartfelt acts of kindness that keep us human. Thanks to modern ethics and a sluggish conscience, we have become a self-involved people. It’s only natural to care about oneself more than others.

In that moment when I looked into my daughter’s wondering eyes, I knew things would have to change. Starting now. Starting with me. I climbed into our van and drove around until I found the woman, already almost back to the gas station. I rolled down the window on approach.

“I’m sorry, here.” I handed her the few dollars I keep in my ashtray for an S.E. (Slushy Emergency). It didn’t seem like it would be such an “emergency” anymore.

“I hate asking people for money,” she said with shame in her voice.

She took the money and said, “Thank you. God bless you.”

Well, sweet lady, if you’re out there, God did bless me, more than you can imagine! He blessed me with you and the change you brought in my life and in turn, my children’s lives. He blessed me with new perspective and insight into the human condition that I am passing on to my children. Here is what that few dollars bought:

As we pulled away, my daughter asked, “Why did you give that lady money?”

I explained to her, “We are very blessed. We have plenty of money, a home, enough food to eat, each other, and most importantly, the love of God.”

My daughter was shocked to find out that some people don’t have homes or food. Oh, that the world were a different kind of place; that we should all be shocked if a person didn’t have food or shelter.

I said, “Helping people when they need it is a great way to show others God’s love.” I told her how Jesus helped those in need. I told her about the lives he changed and the lives he saved through his compassion and selfless giving. “We should always try to follow his example.”

Obviously, I could have just been hoodwinked out of a measly few bucks. Maybe that woman walked past the gas station and straight to the liquor store; I don’t know. I hope she didn’t, but that is between her and God. I know that it was well worth a possible flim-flam for me to be able to ignite in my daughter an interest in others. To teach her the beauty of the fading art of selflessness is worth its weight in chopped ice and syrup.

Am I being idealistic and na‘ve, wanting to raise my children to think about others before themselves? Maybe. Is it normal to teach kids to risk being taken advantage of? Probably not, but what’s to love about the norm?

Yes, life is hard and there are people who will take advantage of a kind heart. But when our hearts are kept behind locked doors and guarded, it’s hard to let great moments and great people in.

Perhaps a re-sensitizing of our culture is in order. A new awareness and respect for others, especially those in need, could do this self-centered country a world of good. If we buy a homeless man a beer unintentionally, so what? We shouldn’t let that hurt our chances of showing love and kindness to one who really needs our attention and care.

Let’s be more willing to notice those around us. Help those who need it. Jump in and make a splash! After all, one never knows how far the ripples may spread from a single splash of kindness. |L

OTHER COLUMNS:
November 15, 2009 - Bringing Christ to French Guiana
November 1, 2009 - Walking the edge
October 18, 2009 - Watch what you say
October 4, 2009 - Proposing a new proverb
September 20, 2009 - Fear and trembling
September 6, 2009 - Elwyn
August 23, 2009 - Where did the Bible go?
August 9, 2009 - The public school: a local mission field
July 26, 2009 - Astonishing the judges
July 12, 2009 - Letting the past go
June 28, 2009 - Line up
June 14, 2009 - The path to spiritual growth
May 31, 2009 - A tribute to one of my heroes
May 17, 2009 - Silent soldier
April 5, 2009 - The temptations of ministers
March 8, 2009 - Conversation over shoes
February 22, 2009 - By their plurals you shall know them
February 8, 2009 - What is missing from your retirement plans?
January 25, 2009 - Turn the page
December 28, 2008 - Abba, Father
December 14, 2008 - Elementary truths
November 30, 2008 - The illusion
October 19, 2008 - Acting like a toddler
October 5, 2008 - Don’t miss this
September 21, 2008 - Foolish schemes
September 7, 2008 - God’s hand is everywhere
August 24, 2008 - The dance
August 10, 2008 - Strange land
July 27, 2008 - God’s amazing grace
July 13, 2008 - A best seller
June 29, 2008 - My grandfather’s clock and worship
June 1, 2008 - Reclaiming the name
May 4, 2008 - God is not our fairy godmother
April 6, 2008 - Success: what is it and who can measure up?
March 9, 2008 - Need to know
February 10, 2008 - The top three myths of singleness
January 13, 2008 - By invitation only
December 5, 2007 - Yes, Abbie, there is a Jesus
November 18, 2007 - 10 Ways to be a good Christmas customer
October 21, 2007 - The dividing line
September 23, 2007 - What do you fear?
September 9, 2007 - A life well lived
August 26, 2007 - To murmur, or not to murmur
July 29, 2007 - The cross and the Christian
July 15, 2007 - Turning the other cheek: still a valuable biblical principle
July 1, 2007 - Why the tie?
June 3, 2007 - The death of a son
May 6, 2007 - A prayer for the dying
April 8, 2007 - The omnipresent God
March 11, 2007 - Do the Amish have superheroes?
February 11, 2007 - What’s your black history?
January 14, 2007 - The split branch
December 31, 2006 - The house of regret
December 10, 2006 - The redemption of the innkeeper
November 26, 2006 - Too many choices
November 12, 2006 - Break the bashing habit: Learning to love the unsaved like Christ does: November 12, 2006
October 15, 2006 - Be ‘salt and light’ this Christmas!: October 15, 2006
September 17, 2006 - Who is a legalist?: September 17, 2006 Issue 38
July 23, 2006 - God speaks through our brokenness: July 23, 2006 Issue 38
June 25, 2006 - 'What I am looking for in my church leaders'