December 4

$0.25

In Winnipeg, as in most major city centres there are plenty of folks standing, cap in hand asking for any help possible--often at street corners or standing near mall entrances.  My son, who just turns 9 next week often asks me when we see these folks--'dad, why don't you give him something?'.  I never really know what to tell him, the truth is I actually do not have money and feel fairly comfortable that I am 'giving plenty elsewhere'...not to mention the difficult conversation about enabling someone who may use the money in ways I would not approve.  But then what is the purpose of giving?  Is giving only right if we know everything about where we give to whom we give and how they will use it?  If that's the case, I'm not sure what I should do with most of the toys my kids open on Christmas morning only to find them discarded into the closet or some shelf.  Money wasted...yes, if all I am thinking about is an efficient use of my money in where I give.  So the other day I was with my 9 year old, off to pick up a few things for dinner and was stopped by a gentleman probably 20 years my senior and asked if I had $0.25, I gave him the shrug, the dumb half smile and mumbled 'I'm sorry I don't have anything', I was quickly on my way to go buy something (ironic right?) but before I could slip away from him, he smiled and then said, 'thanks for acknowledging me sir'.  My observant son, who had been watching this guy from a distance told me afterward that people would walk past him and completely ignore him and were rude to him--even though he was gentle and had a kind disposition.  I had to walk past him again (after purchasing my goods in a bag I am now carrying) and I wished him a pleasant afternoon, he smiled and offered the same to me.  When I sat down in the van, I knew I missed something...my usual defences about not giving to a beggar were challenged.  I started rifling through the vehicle for some change, anything...only to find $.50.  I got out of the van, walked up to him and handed him the coins--he was jubilant as though it was a spring morning.  I walked back to the van actually feeling pretty good but what really arrested my attention were two smiles:  the smile and the warmth offered by the man begging, and secondly the beaming smile of my 9 year old--a look on his face saying 'that was the right thing to do...dad you treated him like no one else had'.  So I think I learned something, or am learning something.  Classic Christmas cliche...its better to give than receive has truth to it.  I'll never miss that $.50, and I will never know how it was used.  But I saw the impact it had on the man himself, on my own heart, and in particular on my 9 year old who is trying to form a sense of morality and justice in this world.  I guess it cost me $.50 to see what happens when we treat others with generosity, kindness, mercy and love when they are need.  I'm thankful God slowed me down enough to catch that opportunity.  Next time I walk past that section, I will look for him and see if I can hear his story.