Help Me, Help You
Tonight in a Los Angeles neighborhood full of wealth, and people with jobs, homes and lots to live for, a man sat in front of Trader Joe’s in need of money to buy food. With his large bag next to him he quietly asked strangers for money, most ignoring him and walking past. He appears showered (maybe) and decently dressed. While the clothes are not crisp and perfect, they are cared for and without holes or tears.
Upon entering Trader Joe’s I noticed the gentleman sitting, upon exiting the store saw a large duffle bag next to him and thought “he’s not homeless maybe he’s just waiting for someone.” After finishing my rearranging of bags, I stand to walk to a place to catch my rideshare to a friend’s birthday gathering. The man says “Excuse me, please may you help me, I’m hungry and would like to get something to eat.” “Of course” I reply as I reach for my wallet to get the little amount of cash I know I have in there. He continues “I’m sorry to have to ask, so sorry but I’m hungry…” “ No need to be sorry, none at all” I say and look at him to hand the money. His eyes are full of hurt, I can see his soul is aching and I can tell instantly that this person needs more than the $3 cash I have in my wallet to give. “Wait, I will be right back” as I walk off.
As I return from Trader Joe’s I apologize for abruptly leaving and inform him I had a better idea. “Here’s a gift card with $30 on it for you” smiling I say. He doesn’t look up at first but then does with tears in his eyes. He widens them and says “thank you thank you” and I can see he is hurting. He says “God bless you” and my reply is “May God bless you, bless you and keep you.” I reach and touch his shoulder to let him know – someone cares. He is cared for (if only in that moment). My spirit tells me he needs more, he needs to know he can survive this and to know that he is loved by God, and God will take care of him.
Right there in front of Trader Joe’s I bow my head and begin to pray for this man. Pray he is protected from all harm and danger, pray he is uplifted from this situation, pray for him to be blessed with a job, a home full of love and warmth, pray for his happiness. I ask God to bless this man, and I say to my God that I know HE can do all things and I ask that He bless this man and take care of him. Amen.
The gentleman looks at me and says “Bless you, bless you and your family.” With tears in my eyes, I say “May God bless you.” To think, he has nothing and yet he is sending me blessings when he himself is in need of shelter and work. I was touched. Still am hours later honestly.
We as humans have the ability to help, we have the power to change situations for people and importantly we have the capacity to use our powers for good.
Please do not walk by someone in need. While your situation may not be where you want it to be, it is still better than the person asking for your assistance. Please do not look away from people when they ask for help. Treat everyone as a human being and how you would like to be treated. If you needed help, or when you do need help, how would you like it if someone didn’t’ have the human decency to look you in the eyes and acknowledge you as a human? Please do not ignore the whispers, words or voices of those in need and walk by as if you cannot hear them. Please help them.
We all do not carry cash, and in a day and age when credit cards and phones are the standard for departing the house, most don’t carry cash as it’s not needed most times BUT you still can help someone if they ask. Buy them a gift card to the grocery store they’re standing in front of – this will ensure they eat. Buy them a meal at the fast food restaurant you just came out of – this will ensure they eat. Purchase a gift card to CVS or Walgreens if that’s where you are so they may buy toiletries and food. Some may even say what they need, buy it for them in the store. There are many ways to help someone even if you don’t have cash on hand. You may be thinking “I work hard for my money, I have children to feed, I can barely pay my bills” and this may all be true but the truth for the one in need is that they have no place to call home, no place to go and their entire life belongings are in the bag they are carrying. You have more than they do and the opportunity to help. Please do so.
Not everyone who is homeless is a drunk, a drug addict or even “worthless” as some people assume. They are people who fell on hard times – lost their jobs, were living paycheck to paycheck. These are people without families or friends to turn to for assistance. These are human beings who have circumstances in which you may not understand or be aware, but they are human beings in need. If you can help them, even with a $10 gift card for food why wouldn’t you?
Please help where you can, do not walk by a human being in need and not extend a hand, do not pass another you see can use assistance and turn your head as they do not exist. This solves no problems, this does not serve your soul and importantly this is not what God would do. We are here on this earth such a short time, I encourage you to do all you can to help others so when you reflect back upon your life you may smile knowing you have affected many positively.
Author: Krystal Ricks