What would you do if you knew someone was hungry? If you knew for a fact they were out of food would you do something about it? If the neighbor was cold and you had several blankets, would you give him one? Or, would you be the person who says ," Well why doesn't he get a job? It's his own fault if he's cold and hungry." On first glance it seems like a simple question. But few things are ever simple, and this is a complicated problem. On one hand you don't want this person to suffer when you have the means to help him, but on the other hand, if he just sits there and doesn't do anything to better himself, what are you suppose to do ?
. Just such a problem confronted myself and my husband recently. There is a man who lives about half a mile down the road. He doesn't talk to anyone, he is almost never seen off his property. My husband was driving past his property when he noticed the dog. The dog was" crying", as my husband put it. So he stopped and pulled into the driveway. There was the neighbor passed out in the driveway. My husband picked him up, and laid him on the porch in the shade. Gave him some water and poured some over his face. The man came to and was grateful for the help. They sat there and talked for a while and my husband found out he hasn't eaten all day, he was out of food. He was also trying to conserve water, as his tank was almost empty, and he didn't have money for more water. I got a call from Tim my husband, and he briefly explained what was happening. I called the water guy. Once he was on his way, I then went to the grocery store for food, and brought an old propane stove with a few small tanks of propane over too, so he could cook. We made him sit on the porch while I cooked him some food, ( we got a big bag of dog food too.)
. We didn't give it a second thought about spending our money to help this stranger. We have been so blessed, how can we not help and share what we have been given? You could see an almost immediate change in him. His name is Gideon. he has been going through a very rough patch. He used all his money to buy the house, he said. At least that wasn't a problem. His wife ran off, and he never did get the job that was promised to him. He was overwhelmed. He felt alone and abandoned. We made an appointment with the mental health clinic so he might get help with his depression. We took him to town when it was the appointment time. He was given medication, and the change in Gideon was amazing. He fixed up an old bike that he found in the garage when he moved in. He found a job at the gas station .He saved his money, got a little used car, and got a better job in town. Gideon turned out to be friendly and helpful, and finally happy.
. Now I noticed that Gideon helps an old widow who lives nearby, and he rakes her yard, and brings her pound cake. He said it is what she craves. He dosen't get paid for this. I'm proud to count Gideon amoung my friends. The world is better because he is in it. So this brings us back to the question of what would you do if you knew your neighbor were hungry, or cold. The thing to do is not judge him. Help him! If later on, you find he just doesn't want to work, or do anything to better his situation, or is taking advantage of your kindness, decide then, if you can stop helping. Maybe you can look for an agency who will help him if he is truly unable to help himself. But at the beginning, don't judge, just help.
. It's a funny thing about helping people. When you help others, you get the greatest reward. Humility and service are very important and very desireable qualities to have. Any one of us, who sit in our homes, and at our tables abundant with food, could loose it all tomorrow. How grateful we would feel if someone showed up with food and a blanket for our comfort and well being. I hope you would feel prompted by the spirit, to help those in need. For by service to others, we gain so much more.
