One of the things I regret deeply in my life is not giving enough or hardly EVER to the homeless!When I was younger I used to walk by the homeless and pretend I didn't see them. I used to think that if I gave them money they would probably use it on drugs, alcohol, sex etc!
It wasn't until a talk was given in church a year ago that opened my eyes to just how WRONG I have been!!! It's not about what they do with the money I give them, it's about me GIVING!!! With no judgement, no negative thoughts, just giving!
This last year I have done just that, It doesn't make me feel any better quite yet, I think I'd have to give for the rest of my life to feel better!
So yesterday when I was running errands I saw 2 different homeless men probably standing a few steps from each other. The first guy I gave $10 to...which wasn't even mine LOL, so I will have to replace it hahhha (people don't leave money in my car). The second guy I saw I felt kind of guilty, I had no more cash on me...BUT I did remember that I had Oreo's in my back seat! It couldn't all fit in the missionaries package that I sent the day before so I honked my horn at him and he came running and I gave him some oreo's! He actually looks exactly like this guy .............
I will never ever ever judge another.........whether or not they use the money the way I would want them to it's not up to me. If they have to stand on a corner and hold a sign, in the cold, than THAT in itself is calling for help! If we think that the next car will help, than think again!! It starts with us, one person at a time!!!! I NEED those blessings!!!!
I Love this one. I've always been the same way, but my husband completely different. He always gives to the homeless ALWAYS!! Whether it be the best left overs from a great night dining or his lunch money he has in his pocket. He will never walk or drive past a homeless person without giving something. At first I was sooo annoyed about it, but now I'm blessed to have a man show me to just GIVE. We don't know their background, or even know their next move, but we gave and we gave with a humble heart. Love you Tini. Its nice to keep up with you through your blogs.
ReplyDeleteWhat's funny about this.. is a few yrs ago, they had a story on Fox 13 where they followed a few ppl who had signs up and it come to find out that they had nice cars, nice apartments and they were approached by the newscaster and asked them why are they doing that.. and isn't that considered dishonest and why are they stealing from the people.. The ppl that they caught replied that why not.. it's tax free and Utah has the most giving people in the whole USA haha and they think it's because of the church.. So that changed my whole outlook on homeless people.. But then because my kids are always asking me for money when they see someone on the side of the road.. or in front of walmart.. but it's amazing what these little monkeys do to change your heart.. and u are so right.. Judge not.. so easy to say, but hard to do.. Thanks for sharing...
ReplyDeleteThe church teaches, "give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, you feed him for a life time." There is a misconception that we are not suppose to judge. We make judgements everyday. In the scriptures it teaches us that we shouldn't make final condemnation judgements.That type of judgement is left for God himself. We are to make intermediate judgements in righteousness.The Savior taught "Why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? (Luke 12:57). ON another occation he said, "Judge ot according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment" (John 7:24). We must, of course, make judgments every day in the exercise of our moral agency, but we must be careful that our judgements of people are intermediate and not final."Judge Not" and Judging by: Dallin H. Oaks
ReplyDeleteAs for the fish analogy,it's funny how some people feel guilty about the homeless, yet they dont pay fast offering. The Church strongly suggest you pay tithing and fast offering. They have programs that help the homeless. They also suggest we dont give money, because you only support their habits, whatever that may be.I recall the Salt Lake Temple was bombarded with homeless outside, and when the church came out with that statement, there were few, to one or two. They have a shelter for them, but they refuse to go there, because one of the requirements is you have to work, to get a job, while you live and eat free there.They chose not to because they can make $20.00 plus an hour, $200.00 for ten hrs a day,$1000.00 a week not including weekends, $4000.00 a month, $48,0000.00 tax free yearly. Now you tell me who is homeless? If you still feel "GUILTY" go feed the homeless at the shelters, make quilts for them and take it to the shelters.
Jun you always have awesome things to share!! Love you bro...and I do feel better...we give to shelters every winter and go to the soup kitchen!! From now on i just need to put snack packs in the car hahaha!!
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