Comments on: Feeding the Alleged Homeless

By: faustine

faustine — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:36:32 +0000

I’m 18 and after reading 2 of your post, especially, anonymous I loved you!!!!

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 19 May 2006 03:26:14 +0000

That issue is very close to my heart as a dear family of mine was homeless at one point in time. They were never addicted to a substance, just made some bad choices.

I did my internship with a shelter in D.C. also and there I too learned the anatomy of homelessness.

You never know whose daughter, mother, sister or aunt you just fed.

The lyrics to a song just pops into my head everytime I think of your post:

“Maybe we are entertaining angels unaware”

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 18 May 2006 20:41:36 +0000

I loved this post and what you did for her!

By: Eyes

Eyes — Thu, 18 May 2006 16:01:09 +0000

What a wonderful story! How heart-warming. That was so kind of you.

By: Quinn

Quinn — Thu, 18 May 2006 03:55:02 +0000

What she might be is less important that what you were at the time. Well done, Mel.

By: kathryn, dym

kathryn, dym — Thu, 18 May 2006 02:09:30 +0000

Wow! Awesome post. I’ll have to tell you if I see that woman around. I would have said the same things. What can you do? I agree on the food thing.

By: mrs darling

mrs darling — Wed, 17 May 2006 23:04:55 +0000

Last week I had a lady ask me for a ride home. It was in the opposite direction of where I was going. She just came up to me on the sidewalk and asked if I could take her home because the bus made her dizzy. I didnt do it. I was too afraid.

You did a good thing.

By: Betsy

Betsy — Wed, 17 May 2006 21:41:19 +0000

I really loved this story. I just wanted to point out that although I too understand the concept of good decisions and although I can’t imagine finding myself in that position (and work to prevent it!) it IS possible for people to end up in those situations by way of natural disasters or personal disasters – think Katrina, think death or disability. I know it’s hard to imagine, but you really never know. Realizing that has helped me be not only more giving, but more truly compassionate.
Also, Christ himself was without “a place to lay his head” and was terribly criticized and persecuted for it. It’s clear that there are many reasons one could end up asking for money or food at the grocery store.
I think you did a great thing for that woman, for yourself, and for your daughter (for she will surely learn a bit about kindness from you.)
Blessings.

By: Shalee

Shalee — Wed, 17 May 2006 21:08:43 +0000

Mel,

What I love most about this post is that you did it with your daughter. What an example of generosity and love and compassion for her to carry all through her life, and she will remember, believe me.

When we lived in Nebraska, my husband, my then 3 year old daughter and I were pulling out of a McDonalds in February. (And that is one really cold month there!) There was a man standing on the corner looking cold and hungry. We stopped and asked if he needed anything. Food was his answer and a ride to a town 45 minutes away, which was not on our agenda. He had a ticket home on Greyhound, but no way to get to the station. He was hiking it. We gave him the food we had purchased and suggested his sitting in McDs to get warm. We decide we could eat at home.

By the time we made it home, 4 minutes tops, my husband had his own plan. He called the church to see if they had a benevolence fund, he called the police to see if there was a ride that could be given or information for one. There was a fund, and there was a ride, but not until the following day. So my sweet man said, “Shalee, I know we can’t afford it, but I want to do something for him. I want to pay for a room at the motel so he has a warm place to stay tonight.” I agreed and only asked that he take our daughter so that she could see watch and learn.

When he came back I noticed that he was without his new coat and gloves and hat and he was all smiles. My daughter came in telling me all about it; Daddy gave his coat away. Daddy gave his hat. Daddy gave his gloves.” (Later we did get a call from the police station telling us that the guy did make it to the bus station to go home. Small towns do have some perks!)

My daughter still remembers it at 9 years old. And she often prays for those without, that someone will help them.

Good for you Mel, even though I know that isn’t why you told us. I’d rather give and look “foolish” in the eyes of the world than to not give at all, for it not for me to judge, but to do.

By: Diane

Diane — Wed, 17 May 2006 17:59:25 +0000

What an amazing gesture of generosity of heart. You are so right–it doesn’t matter what her circumstances are….you felt led to do this–and your were obedient. That is all we need to know!

Diane
(who, just this morning, corrected the blog-link on my sidebar to your blog!)