I’ve written before about helping the less fortunate by using a Tim’s Card. I usually include a Gospel-oriented Bible verse in the spirit of seeing all the possibilities around us to spread the good news of Jesus. But sometimes the poor need more – from you. That happened today when I went to my grocery store.
Just before entering, I noticed a lady with a sign asking for help. I didn’t have any of my Tim’s Cards on me but as I was walking through the door I noticed I had forgotten my wallet. This gave me a chance to grab the Tim’s Card from my car while I got my wallet. On the way back, I smiled, handed her the Tim’s Card, and blessed her in God’s name, and continued on my way, but she called me back. She called me back to ask for money to actually buy food in the grocery store instead of a card to get fast food. Luckily, I had sort of already thought of that some time ago with these cards. For some time now I’ve been including bills inside. I started out putting in fives but after a while, and in generosity inspired by God’s generosity to me, I started including twenties.
I was able to help out in a small but real way.
But it got me thinking. Maybe I didn’t give enough. Maybe it should’ve been $40. Or $60. You know groceries cost a lot these days.
Then I remembered I can’t save the world. I can only do my part and act as an example for passer-bys who might feel more comfortable seeing someone else interact with the individual.
But it got my mind turning. There are shelters. There are food banks. There are other social services that could supply a lot of need and help them in the longer run.
Some time ago, I kept seeing a homeless woman outside of my gym. I know I can’t do much individually but it kept irking me that a woman in our society would be made to sleep outside. That got my digging for women’s shelters in the area.
And that’s what I began to think back to.
So, I spent all of 10 minutes searching for shelters and food banks in my area. And another 10 minutes where I used Microsoft Word, found an address card template which allowed printing off many address cards at once, filled it out, printed, cut it up, and now I could include useful information to help the less fortunate not just right now but with services that will help them in an ongoing, more consistent way.
Who knows what else of value I could stuff in there? Who knows how much just starting down a path like this will help them-will change you? Who knows where it will take them-will take you?
All I know is charity is an every day thing, a state of mind, a worldview.
I hope ideas like this spark creativity and confidence in others who also want to help but aren’t sure how.
I’m just subscribing