We Can All Do Better

I'm learning that most of my ideas for my blogs come to me as I am in between a nap and waking up. Today as I lay there listening to beautiful instrumental worship music in the comfort of my home, all these images of people on the streets going without jolted me awake. Then my mind just kept wandering and thinking, what have I done to make life better even for just one person who has far less than I do? I understand that I can't save everyone and get them out of their situations, but maybe I can do something and to extend some form of kindness if only for a moment, if only for a day.

I started thinking about all the abundance that I have in my houses -- yes houses. I'm starting to feel like those people who just accumulate to accumulate. In the meanwhile, there are people who would give anything to have just one of my oversized coats that I don't wear anymore or haven't worn for ages. I also started to think how fortunate I am to just have shelves full of blankets. I also remembered how I have totes in my garage of blankets that we just don't use anymore. I started to think of the cold days that are ahead and how there will be people who have been displaced outside for reasons beyond our own understanding. I often look at some of these individuals as they roam aimlessly on the street and I wonder what happened to them? How could life have changed so drastically that they don't have a place to sleep or just their basic needs to survive?-- yet somehow they manage to survive day by day.

I understand there are organizations that try to help many of these individuals to make better lives for themselves, but what about the ones that just can't seem to pull themselves out of it? Somehow my monetary donations, etc., just doesn't seem like I'm doing enough. So I felt compelled to bring awareness to others through this blog.

Quite often I am moved when I see a person holding a sign who is hungry or is soliciting donations to help them out. When I extend them something to help ease their distress if even for just a moment, the gratitude that they display always breaks me. I remember recently seeing this beautiful young homeless man -- he was dirty and worn from days of walking the streets, but in his eyes I could see such a love within him. I had driven past him, but turned around and gave him some money so he could get something to eat. His response tore me -- he first said God Bless You and then told me he loved me more than once and I immediately responded God Bless You and I love you too!! Then I wondered how many people had passed him by. There was another time I passed by the same place in hopes that I would see him again, but he wasn't there.

I understand there are people who are apprehensive to provide a small token or food to people who have signs, because they feel they are going to be scammed -- a lot of this mentality has to do with how media has portrayed and exposed some of these bad people who have put a stigma on the individuals who really are in need -- and then they are passed by or ignored. I've done it myself -- I've avoided the eye contact. But you know what? Today that is going to change for me even more than I had decided in the past. It's okay to be kind to someone who has less. There was a time when compassion was just freely given -- now we live in a world of fear and judgment rather than feeling compassion for someone's demise.

As a result of today's thinking, I'm going to go through my closets -- yes I have several and determine what I haven't used in a year and I'm going to box it up and place it in the trunk of my car -- this will include those unused blankets too and when I see someone who appears homeless or might need something, I'll always have something available to give. I'm probably going to put a case of water back there as well and some nonperishable snack foods. I can buy those individual bags of dog food in case they have a little pet. I've quite often seen a homeless person sharing their meager food with their pets. I've never used all my trunk anyway -- maybe now I can use it for good.

In my thinking, I also thought of the little children who also might be on the streets with their parents. So I think I'll be going to a store and putting together a little box of small toys that might bring a smile to a child who hasn't been given much in a while. And when I run out of water, nonperishables, blankets and jackets or clothing I haven't used in a year and small toys-- then I'll buy more if I have to. But living with all my abundance when I know that people are going without -- it isn't okay.

I remember there was a time when an organization I volunteered for had an event and we had so much food left over from the event, my BFF and I decided to drive around our city and see if there were people we could give it out to -- unfortunately -- I don't know why, but we were unable to find people to give it to. So rather than doing it on a grand scale, I'm going to try my method of just having some stuff that won't spoil available for when an opportunity is given. I honestly believe that if I fervently pray for God to show me someone in need and He knows I have this stuff in my trunk, He will bless my effort

Maybe you have thought about the same things and wondered what you can do to make a difference. Doing nothing at all isn't the answer, but doing something is and along with myself, we can all do better..  I'll keep you updated how this endeavor goes.