Cassie has always had an “I
want to save you” attitude about people. She really seems drawn to those who
are a little different or those who ask for help. She always thinks she can
help them. It seems almost any time
I leave her in the car people ask her for money and today was no exception. I left
both Calli and her in the car (Cassie was driving) while I went in the Beehive.
I barely get in the door when I look out the window and see her talking (thru
the partially open window) to a man. I just stayed and watched to make sure nothing
happened until I saw her hand him something and he took off jogging.
After I got
back in the car I asked her what it was all about and she said he had asked for
money for food, and he was a nice guy because he looked her in the eye and told
her he wouldn’t hurt her, and that any amount was fine because he just wanted
to get food for himself and his family. She assured me he was sincere and that
he wasn’t drunk or on drugs because he was coherent and didn’t have any
symptoms of drug use (which she proceeded to describe to me!). She gave him 50
cents because that was all she had. She realized later that we had a whole
plate of hot dogs and buns from the 4H get together we’d just been to and felt
really bad that she hadn’t given those to him. Right after I got in the car we
saw him go by with a plate of food and Cassie was all “See! He’s legit! I wish
I had more to give him.” As I said, this is not the first time this has
happened. Last time a woman told her a long story about how she was going to
die if she didn’t get an operation so Cassie gave her whatever money she had
then as well. I feel sure that wasn’t legit.
I think because of Mark’s years of preaching/benevolent
work, we are both very skeptical of helping people this way. I think that
Cassie has a very sweet heart to want to do this. I also think that she may one
day get in trouble trying to help people. And I do think most people begging
this way are not legit. But it’s her money and if that’s what she wants to do,
then I’m going to let her. I’m glad he did buy food (even tho’ her daddy
pointed out that he might have needed money for food because he’d already spent
his on booze and cigarettes…I told you we’re skeptical).
We attended a funeral for
a dear friend yesterday and he was known for helping everyone, including the
homeless or others begging for money. His wife would sometimes tell him that he
shouldn’t because they were taking advantage of him. He told her that that may
be true but he was going to help them all and let the Lord sort it all out. It made
Cassie’s day to see the man go by with a plate of food and she did feel bad
that she hadn’t given more or offered him the hot dogs.
I remember reading about
how a friend made packages of snack crackers and a few other items along with a
Bible verse to keep on hand to pass out to those in need. I told Cassie that we
would do that. We don’t see as many homeless as some do, but we do still see
our share. While I was researching other ideas of what to put in the bags, I found
an article where the author said that she used to avoid eye contact and look away whenever she saw
anyone asking for food, but after she made up packages and began passing them
out she realized that looking the person in the eye, sharing a smile, touching
their hand as she passed them the bag, all made a difference to the person in
need. Many of these people are overlooked by society and maybe they won’t use
what we give them, but they do deserve to be recognized and they need our
compassion far more than the food/toiletry items. So we will begin dong this
and not only will it make Cassie feel good to be able to help, maybe it will
make a difference to that person as well and if not, as Ben said, “We will just
let the Lord sort it out.”
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