Tuesday, August 26

And it brought me to tears.........


So today I was out shopping for groceries, going about my day......buying the necessities but admittedly throwing some random odds & ends in my cart as I went. You know what I mean~ the Banana Split Oreos & the ole standby case of Diet Coke...the things that are NOT necessities (although on most days I would argue that diet Coke is essential- I digress). And as I placed these little extras in my cart I never gave them a 2nd thought.


So as I am pushin my cart out to my van I see a young man sitting on the ground outside the door & didn't really give him a 2nd thought until I heard someone raise their voice in that general direction. As I glance over my shoulder I see the young man is sitting on the sidewalk with a 'pack' complete with a monster-sized back pack & sleeping bag. He also had a sign saying


Stranded while traveling

Fell for a job scam

Out of money

Very hungry

Will do ANY work

Desperate


And there was a middle age man giving this young kid "the business."


Man: Get out of here....we don't welcome bums in these parts. Why don't you go join your amigos in Anchorage?

Kid: Sir....I wish I could....I really am stuck

Me: Quit trying to mooch off the good people of this community

Kid: I'm sorry sir. I just really am hungry................


Now, for those of you who don't live in Alaska I need to explain that Anchorage (40-ish miles from here) has a horrible homeless problem. Many of the grocery stores have had to quit selling mouthwash like Listerine because the police were finding hundreds of empty mouthwash bottles littering the homeless 'camps' in the woods. And wouldn't you know that stores in these areas were having an astonishingly high amount of 'missing' mouthwash inventory. Hmmmmm?????


And if that isn't enough, about a year & a half ago the homeless people of Anchorage wanted to unionize. Seriously. And they wanted to be able to lay legal claim to certain street corners for panhandling purposes.......yeah.....serious problems.


With this in mind I have to admit I regularly have had to turn a blind eye to beggars in our community. But something about this kid just struck me. So I went to my car, loaded my packages & prayed for guidance. Then I got in my car & drove off........


*****now do you seriously think this is the end of my saga?????****


I drove to the fast food joint next door & bought a gift card. Then I drove back & parked in front of the young man & walked right up to him. I have to admit I was shaking (why? I'm still not sure) when I looked him in the eye.


Me: Are you truly hungry?

Him: Yes, ma'am I am. (you know, I think he was shaking worse than I was)

Me: Then go eat (& I handed him the card)

Him: Thank you ma'am. Really-thank you.

Me: God bless you


And as I started to walk away I saw that he was starting to cry.


I made it to my car...and then I fell apart.


I know it may have been a scam....but if it was, oh well. He scammed me for a couple burgers, NOT a bottle of booze. And my heart broke thinking if it was a scam this young man must be so lost that he thinks this type of life is okay.....


But something deep in me said it wasn't a scam.


And I wondered if his mom knows where he is right now. And my heart broke for her .....


And then I wondered if maybe she is the type that just doesn't care & then my heart broke for him.....


And then I cried for my own children. I prayed that they never have to face such circumstances...to be alone & hungry......


And I was ashamed that I had been so concerned with Oreos & Diet Coke................

14 comments:

*krystyn* said...

That's very sad. Glad you could help him out!

the dragonfly said...

You are a blessing..

Kamis Khlopchyk said...

Oh my word Stacy, this is an amazing story. My heart breaks for him too, on so many levels.

May our children never know that kind of desperation.

Anonymous said...

amazing story... so glad you stepped out of your comfort zone and showed the man love!

Angie Seaman said...

Oh Stacy - I need a kleenex after reading this. So sad! You did the right thing though. You felt lead and you did it. Good for you and good for him. Keep doing those type things. This world needs more Stacy's.
Hugs girl,
Angie Seaman
www.angelicagracedesigns.com/blog/
www.angelicagracedesigns.com

Brittany said...

yes! yes! yes! I love this! I love seeing this! What an amazing thing you did... A crown in heaven is awaiting you! :) Way to go. I hope others pay it forward, like this, too!

Unknown said...

"entertaining angel unaware"

sometimes, you just have to wonder.

scam or not...it is your heart the Lord sees. it is the purity He seeks. He'll deal with the scam, if it is so.

i love that you did exactly what you did.

you are an inspiration!

Jackie said...

Wow, speechless. Whether it was a scam or not, your actions were true and sincere and that's what's important. I'm so very proud of you!
Love you,
Mom

Jennifer said...

you could have helped an angel that day.

Miss Lisa said...

Scam or not--you did the right thing. Great story!

Bren's Life said...

Hi! I saw your comment on Dani's blog about McCain & came by to learn more about Alaska..
Your story is so sweet. I never knew there were so many homeless people in Anchorage. Can I ask how the heck they survive the winters there?
I have a story that I found maybe you can google it or I can email it to you if you want. It is the sweetest story ever. I believe it's called "A Baby's Hug"
I love your blog. You seem so easy going & laid back. It's nice to meet you.

THE Stephanie said...

It's an amazing thing to be able to show the love of Christ. Kudo's to you for listening to the Spirit.

Lovely Lalo-Cha said...

Sometimes the smallest gesture can help someone out in the biggest way. I see it a lot in Houston...the same man everyday. He holds a sign that reads: OLD & UGLY, out of work and out of money. I am like, seriously?!?

But seeing young kids you'd have to wonder. Makes you wonder how/why it can be so easy for us to turn the cheek and go on with our lives.

Katie said...

Awesome, and so touching. You did the right thing. I always tell people it is up to God to judge them if they are lying. I will do what God wants us to do. I think buying food is the way to go and letting them know God loves them. Press on..