The other night my wife and I were leaving Walmart, and as we approached our car, a lady pulled her car up close to us and asked if she could talk to us for a minute. Of course we did not ignore her and brush her off, so we listened. She said that her husband had beaten her and brusied her leg. Right here I began to think, "Here comes one of those sad stories and we will be asked for money." I was about to ask, "Did you call the police?", but she said that she was from Nashville and her car was needing some gas. "Can you help me get some gas?" she asked. "Yes mam. Just follow me over there to the gas pumps and I'll get you some gas," I said. She drove off and I got into my car and backed out and drove to the pumps, but alas, she was no where to be found. I waited a few minuets thinking she may have had some trouble, being from Nashville and not acauainted with our Walmart, getting to the pumps. I waited and I looked but she was not there nor anywhere around. Undoubtedly, she got into her vehicile and drove off, out of my sight, seeing that I was not going to give her any money. I would have probably filled her tank with gas, if indeed it was in need of gas, but I am only left to believe that she was only wanting money.
I've ran into a lot of people in my life and career, that only wanted some money for unacceptable purposes but came up with some "woe-is-me" story in an attempt to pull on my heart strings. I like to think of myself as a man who is generous with what I have but I'm afraid that over time I have gotten a little bit hard. That's a shame too, because there are truly people in the world around us who really are in need, but the antics of some has closed the door of hospitality to many. I will still try to be generous when I can but I will still be cautious and yes, suspicious.
http://www.landjspecialties.com, http://www.freewebs.com/labrannen
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
Brother! You know you did the right thing. You were most generous to offer to buy the lady gas and if she could not meet you at the pump she was the loser. I know you - and know that you would have filled her gas tank and been glad to do so.
Hey - you passed the test! Maybe it was a test just to see what your answer would be. She specifically expressed her need & you were willing to provide that need. So - you passed the test!
Now on the other hand, it could have been a test for her - God provided what she had "asked" for. Did she accept the gift? Obviously not - but I bet she won't forget the offer. :0)
Who knows - you might've touched someone's life forever - without even realizing it. Yes, I realize she was probably trying to scam you - but one day when she's down in the dumps - she'll remember that kind man and lady who were happy to provide.....
I'm glad you were cautious and kind!
Post a Comment