I would like to go on record, again, as saying that I love Eugene Peterson’s translation of the Bible. The Message makes reading the Bible more refreshing…and dare I say…humorous? Whenever I quote the Bible, I joke about how this is the “Deneen” version. Well, now I can quote another version. Yes, The Message is old news to many. But for me, it’s grrrrreat.
I had Ethiopian food for lunch today. I am loving the Almaz Cafe…I wish them nothing but utter and complete success. Great food, great people, great coffee. What more can a gal want?
This morning I was completely humbled. I walked into Wawa, and there was this man asking for money. A woman in front of me in line bought some items, and had a coffee and a breakfast sandwich packaged separately. As we walked out of the store, she gave him the coffee and the sandwich. I felt like a complete and utter idiot when I gave him money. *mental note to self…food & coffee….not money*
I have to thank my good friend Colleen. Her perspective on life has influenced me more deeply than I ever can spell out here in my blog. Today I was walking around Rittenhouse Square, and a young man came up to me. He wanted to talk to me about an international children’s organization. I immediately asked the poor, unsuspecting guy if they do work with trafficked kids. He didn’t know the answer, and I went off to B&N to get my latte. When I came out, he had his supervisor with him. I talked to them for about 15 minutes about what they are doing. And I asked Colleen’s favorite question 🙂 “How much of the money that I may donate to you goes to administrative costs?” (I can see the look on your face….hahahahaha)
So, that’s my day in a nutshell.
I would not feel bad about giving him money. Sometimes, I think, the best is the enemy of the good. We don’t do good because we are afraid it is not the best! I don’t think there is a hard fast rule about giving loose change to those who ask . It’s really all up to what you think the Holy Spirit would like you to do at that moment!
Also, I got a breakfast sandwich, a Snickers bar, and chocolate milk at WaWa’s and it was over $4! So you probably came out ahead by just giving him money. Coffee isn’t that great for you and when he gets a caffeine headache tomorrow he won’t be able to buy a Starbucks Latte!