originally posted by: intrptr
We aren't going to fix them. Its okay though, make their difficult day that little bit easier.
Whats that set you back?
Exactly! not much, and the gain is amazing! Every little light we shine can make a difference.
originally posted by: Skid Mark
a reply to: TNMockingbird
Love thy neighbor, but only as long as they're like yourself. I don't think it was supposed to be that way.
....and to....(scroll down)
originally posted by: TNMockingbird
I don't too...
^^^ means "I agree" in TN talk LOL
Maybe if folks like you and I are doing right, it will all work out...
Maybe it will be infectious...
One can hope...
Both correct! It's unreal how people that call themselves Christian can act when there is a real need. No, it isn't supposed to be that way, and
love the Tennessee talk, btw!! I have seen church people ignore a real problem. We had some serious house issues, and were without a place for a
time, and the real help we saw was minimal. A couple of people helped, but most didn't even offer, and some acted as though they shouldn't have to,
because if there were problems, they "must be" our fault. Actually left a church over that mess. Any church that won't stand by their own isn't one
I need to attend. We have always done whatever we could to help someone in need, even though we are far fro well off. When people can do something,
and don't, because they feel superior, well, they will have some explaining to do one day!
originally posted by: DAVID64
I live in a really small town and don't really go to the "city" very often, so I don't run in to people who are begging for money, work,, food,
etc...
I do though stop and help people by the side of the road. I carry a full set of tools in my truck and if it's something I can fix...I fix. If I can't,
I give them a ride or if it's woman with kids or by herself, I wait with them till their husband or a tow truck gets there. I've stood out in 100+
heat, so the woman and kids could sit in my truck with the A/C on and not feel nervous sitting with a stranger.
That's a good thing, too! Reminds me of the guys that wouldn't accept that I was walking for gas, because I failed to fill it, knowing the gauge
stuck. Under a mile, but they really wanted to offer a ride. No threat, but I said I'd walk, because it was my mistake. Nope, didn't work! they
pulled out a gas can, and put enough in the car to get me to the station! Then there were the Hispanic guys (this was Texas) who insisted on changing
the flat tire, because they couldn't imagine a woman doing it. (more below on this angle....)
originally posted by: diggindirt
a reply to: TNMockingbird
Just pay it forward.
I was visited by "angels" in my time of need. Many times. Wasn't always money they brought, sometimes it was just some time for myself they gave me
by picking up the kids for an afternoon. Sometimes it was just some garden produce but no matter what it was, it was appreciated.
I distinctly remember one time when a friend asked if he could borrow my car for a few minutes. He had a perfectly good car so I didn't understand
why he wanted to borrow mine but said, "Sure." When he left it was really low on gas. When he returned it, the tank was full. When I saw that I
realized what he had done. He had heard me mention that I was hoping to have enough money to fill the tank and still feed us for the rest of the
week.
I try to pay it forward as often as possible.
Angels, indeed! That's a real friend, you had there! Paying it forward is what I have told people. More than one older lady, stuck, who got a ride,
or a jump. "No, don't pay me, just do something nice for someone when you can", is what I told them. Once, I think it was actual angels that helped
us. I was stuck in heavy traffic, going down Dale Mabry in Tampa, during rush hour, to pick up the hubby on MacDill. The car flat out died
(alternator), and this was a bigger car, an older Cadi (used, cheap, cause we all fit in it!). Me, the teenage daughter, grade school son, and a
baby, and we were IN the right lane of traffic. No way could we push this car, and getting out there, with the kids, was nowhere near safe. People
were all sorts of impatient - blowing horns, shouting insults, and so forth, and no one stopping to offer help, and I was becoming pretty worried. No
cell phone at the time, either. After some time of this, over half an hour, and out of nowhere, these two guys showed up. These were
BIG
guys; looked like body builders and then some - both very tall, one white, one black, and none of us saw them approach. They asked if we needed help,
and pushed the car like it was a toy, into a convenience store lot that was somewhat close. I wanted to at least get them a cold drink as thanks, but
before I could even ask, they were gone. AS in, GONE. We didn't see them walk away, and even looked up and down the street, and side street, to see
if they'd walked off. Nope; they were just gone. Could well have saved our lives, in all that traffic, and so appreciated!
Help isn't hard, for those that are skeptical. The ex and I gave a guy a lift once. He was walking in the snow, in Ohio, and it was seriously COLD.
We asked him if he needed a lift, and he said he was trying to get a couple of states west. he'd traveled for a job that fell through, and just
wanted to get back to his family, so, with no money to spare, he was walking. In winter. He got a lift to a town with a busy truck stop, where he
cold get a longer ride, and a bag of sandwiches and whatnot, along with a pair of work gloves from the glove box, because he didn't even have any. We
were basically broke, but no way could we not have helped. My oldest and I bought a drunk a bag of food one night. He wasn't even begging, just
sitting homeless in a doorway of a closed strip center, resting. He was surprised, and grateful. Just seemed like he really needed it. The hubby
and I gave a drunk girl a ride across town, once. She'd been ditched by her "friends" downtown on the 4'th of July. Purse in their car, totally
stuck, and just waiting to be a crime statistic. She got a lift. My dad gave a barefoot homeless guy a pair of shows, because his had been stolen as
he slept. Five bucks to get new ones at a cheap store right in that area, and yes, he headed in after he got the cash. Whether he drank or not
didn't matter. He needed the shoes. A dollar here and there, to some that needed it, though we don't see many here.
Just remember; that person in need could be you, if enough things went wrong at just he wrong times. I get not wanting to help the professional bums.
I know one of those. Just take a closer look, and see what your heart tells you. Some of those asking are scammers. Saw a lady like that, using
the "I just got stranded and need a room for the night" routine....every night, and yes, she asked us more than one night. She got nothing. Some,
though, really need it. Don't let yourself get too jaded, so you miss a chance of offering a little help when it's truly needed.