As i was making my way to the Caribbean restaurant
to get my fix of some Jerk Chicken....that's all i want lately...
i saw a man sitting, cross legged, dirty and disheveled
holding out his hat asking for some change.
I usually give a half polite smile and just walk away.
But this time i thought for a minute..."What is this man's story?"
And since becoming pregnant with Baby Pancakes...
the idea that we, as humans, were all attached to someone via the umbilical cord
and none of us came to be just by chance.
At one point we were all someone's growing fetus.
Someone's baby bump!
Someone had dreams and hopes for us.
And this man, whether he is homeless, an addict or just looking to make a few bucks in his day,
was once attached to his mother via the umbilical cord.
That thought is so profound to me...lately.
But i digress...
So i looked up and actually looked into the man's eyes.
And he said, "Maybe when you are coming back",
meaning that i would maybe spare him some change after i purchased my meal.
And i thought about it as i walked to the restaurant...i had some extra change.
But then i remembered the many conversations i have had with my husband...
about helping "strangers" and "homeless" people
and NEVER knowing what their agenda is especially in my condition....
they could take advantage of the poor defenseless pregnant lady.
I walked into the restaurant and ordered my food.
But then i thought about the man outside...
waiting for me to return to give him a little change.
And then God put it on my heart to do something.
As i was walked out of the restaurant with my Jerk Chicken,
i stopped by the man and handed him a bottle of iced cold water.
I saw his eyes...they were a light brown...almost sparkly.
He took the bottled water...smiled and said, "Thank you. God bless you."
Temperatures were nearing high 90's close to 100 yesterday.
As i got into my car and drove off...i saw him savoring the water.
He gave me a wave.
And i waved back.
I could have given him a little change but who knows what he would have done with it.
Giving him that bottled water on a hot first day of Summer was a gesture of kindness.
I was a random person who God had put on my heart to do some random act of kindness.
I am not sure if i will do this every single time...but in that moment...
I was a mother looking out for her son.
I was a mother-to-be reminded we were all once
upon a time attached to someone's umbilical cord!
Have an awesome Thursday!!
Stay Cool....
What a great deed you showed! I usually try to do the same when I'm asked for change (I work in a city where there are TONS of homeless and seem-to-be-homeless). I feel more comfortable offering half of my sandwich, or my bag of chips, etc, than money.
ReplyDeleteThat is so good! I love that your little baby bump makes you think more about human beings and kindness. I'm sure he absolutely loved it.
ReplyDeleteWow I love this, the way you described it and that thought, that we were all once someone's baby.
ReplyDeleteThat is an awesome act of kindness.. I love your blog! Thanks for stopping by my blog:)
ReplyDeleteMy hubs and I have had the same discussion. We do what you did-or try to if we can (Seth is better at it than me bc I get nervous). I would much rather give someone food, a bus ticket, or water than cash bc then I know they'll use it! I'm sure you made a difference in that man's day!
ReplyDeleteFirst off I'll say that I LOVE jerk chicken (and haven't had it in awhile...)!
ReplyDeleteNext, I will say that it's great that you thought about this man as someone's son. It's that motherly instinct that you'll learn to trust more and more.
Random acts of kindness are sometimes the best. It's great that you gave that bottle of iced cold water, on the very first day of summer, with summer heat.
Just the other day on a trip to the store, my daughter, son , and I passed a family sitting outside. The man was holding a sign - he had just lost his job, his house, and he has a wife and three kids to care for...We went into the store, only needing a few things. My son asked for a bag of chips, a bunch of bananas, and an extra box of juice boxes. After we paid, I saw him carefully bag "his" items all in the same bag. When we got outside, he handed the bag to the man and said, "I hope this helps you feed your family. Don't worry, things will get better." My heart melted right there on the pavement.
So, my message to you - with your random acts of kindness, your child will learn. A bottle of iced cold water can go a long way. =)
~Kim
http://2justByou.blogspot.com
A new follower, and so glad that you found my blog so that I could find yours!
How awesome. I know he appreciated your kindness. Pregnancy enlightens the soul!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet act of kindness, really a nice touching story, you might have just saved his life. :=)
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome that you gave him some water! I think it's so important to reach out to those that are less fortunate or struggling. I always think that I never know when I may be in the same circumstance. I love your heart. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is very nice of you! We have a lot of homeless people in Chicago and some of them have been homeless for years. I always wonder what happened.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome you showed kindness anyway. I used to worry about what people would do with the money, but the Pastor at church one day pointed out that we are not held accountable for what a person does with the money. We are judged by the manner in which we gave. ;)
ReplyDeleteSo regardless you did a great thing!
I know that feeling when God puts someone on your heart! My husband is a lot more "nice" to homeless people and tends to give them money but I give food. Not that long ago he gave one man by his office a dollar and the man serenaded him with a beautiful poem that really touched him - he still talks about it. I also know the flip side of being taken advantage of. While pregnant a well-dressed man approached me saying his car had broken down, he was stranded and was late to a meeting and needed train fare so I gave him the little cash I had on me. He said he'd return to my building and give it to me (he approached me entering my building), but he never came back. I mean, how would he find me anyway? I told DH and he was LIVID esp being pregnant and alone during the day. I can understand his anger. When helping people it's about finding balance between common sense and heartfelt response I guess!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this! Isn't it crazy how motherhood changes your view so much. I have same response when I see people in varying circumstances. At one point, they were somebodies baby. When you see it that way, it changes things.
ReplyDeletethat was truly an act of kindness. I used to live near a train station where lots of homeless hung out, many were discharged mental patients from the public hospital down the street. I made it a rule not to give money, but I would buy them breakfast or lunch. your husband is right that people take advantage of pregnant women, I was conned out of $50 by an older woman claiming to need money to buy her husband's prescription
ReplyDeleteGood stuff :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he was so grateful, thank you for sharing your positivity :)
Now I'm craving jerk chicken.
ReplyDeleteYou are so beautiful! Inside and out. God bless you :)
What a thought. Profound! You were totally being used by the man upstairs. Further baby pancakes is so blessed, you are gonna be an awesome mom...!!!!
ReplyDeleteThat was an awesome act of kindness!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine how thirsty he must have been in temperatures like that all day. It always breaks my heart to see people having to beg, but you're right - you never know exactly what their agenda is. Giving water instead of money was the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThis was very sweet of you!
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing. I always wonder "what happened?" .. how do they get from "We're Expecting! to living on the streets. It always make me talking to my kids AGAIN.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea on the offering of water, etc from the other Posters. I'm guilty of just saying no.
This was such a touching post! A great reminder for all of us, that's for sure!
ReplyDelete♥ Kyna