one thing that was not on the list
First two items to accomplish today:
Target - return duplicate shower items and purchase items on sale with double coupons
Library - return overdue books and get signed up for the summer reading program
But then there was a curveball.
One thing that wasn't on the list.
On the way to Target, there stood a lady.
In the median of a busy intersection.
Homeless.
In the rain.
Once upon a time, I saw people like this and was instantly skeptical.
Thanks to a recent and harsh dose of reality, I'm no longer that way (thanks to a few hours spent with our Life Group handing out hot meals to the homeless, shaking hands, praying for them, listening to their stories; no more skepticism here.)
I had no cash on me today. Zip.
Yet doing nothing would not sit well with me.
And the bigger concern was my kids in the car.
They noticed her, too.
I want them to grow up to be compassionate and proactive, not skeptical and scared.
My umbrella.....it sat in the back of the van.
It certainly wasn't much.
Nothing for her stomach.
But it was a creature comfort that she currently lacked.
My long-armed 9-year old grabbed it out of the back of the van.
My somewhat reserved 7-year old asked, "But, Mom, that's your umbrella! You need one!"
Maybe so, but not as much as she did at the moment.
I pulled up next to her, explained I had no cash to offer, but she was welcome to my umbrella.
She gladly accepted it, thanked me, and gave me the expected, "God bless you."
"I'll pray God does the same for you," I replied, and I was off.
Not on the list, for certain. But so far, my favorite part of the day.
(note: to my little sister Brooke - know that I don't typically give away your Christmas presents to me. Today, however, was different. That pink umbrella suited me well for while it was mine. Did you ever consider how much it would bless my day.....and someone else's? Perhaps you can buy me a new one for my birthday this year.)
Target - return duplicate shower items and purchase items on sale with double coupons
Library - return overdue books and get signed up for the summer reading program
But then there was a curveball.
One thing that wasn't on the list.
On the way to Target, there stood a lady.
In the median of a busy intersection.
Homeless.
In the rain.
Once upon a time, I saw people like this and was instantly skeptical.
Thanks to a recent and harsh dose of reality, I'm no longer that way (thanks to a few hours spent with our Life Group handing out hot meals to the homeless, shaking hands, praying for them, listening to their stories; no more skepticism here.)
I had no cash on me today. Zip.
Yet doing nothing would not sit well with me.
And the bigger concern was my kids in the car.
They noticed her, too.
I want them to grow up to be compassionate and proactive, not skeptical and scared.
My umbrella.....it sat in the back of the van.
It certainly wasn't much.
Nothing for her stomach.
But it was a creature comfort that she currently lacked.
My long-armed 9-year old grabbed it out of the back of the van.
My somewhat reserved 7-year old asked, "But, Mom, that's your umbrella! You need one!"
Maybe so, but not as much as she did at the moment.
I pulled up next to her, explained I had no cash to offer, but she was welcome to my umbrella.
She gladly accepted it, thanked me, and gave me the expected, "God bless you."
"I'll pray God does the same for you," I replied, and I was off.
Not on the list, for certain. But so far, my favorite part of the day.
(note: to my little sister Brooke - know that I don't typically give away your Christmas presents to me. Today, however, was different. That pink umbrella suited me well for while it was mine. Did you ever consider how much it would bless my day.....and someone else's? Perhaps you can buy me a new one for my birthday this year.)
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