"Mark, I know we have a no-cash policy, but there's a woman over there that needs some money."
"What does she need it for?"
"She says she needs it for taxi fare to get to the bus station."
Why is she coming to me with this? She must think this woman really needs help.
"Which one is she?"
"The woman over there in the blue."
Feeling a need to further assess the situation, I walked over to the woman and to ask her more details about what she needed the money for.
Freeze frame for just a minute.
Is asking her to explain why she is asking for money a good thing to do? Will it better lead to the truth? Why ask for more details? Am I the judge of this poor woman's worthiness? Doesn't this just set her up to lie? It better be a good explanation or you won't get the money. Am I a better discerner of the truth than the next guy? What do I say to this woman?
What did I know about the situation? I knew that she was poor. She was in one of the lowest positions in our society. She was standing in line with the lowest of the low to get a free meal. She had a bus ticket dated that day with a 5:50 am departure time from LR to El Dorado. She asked Elizabeth for some money. I had some money that I could have blown my nose with and my life would be no different. I would be leaving in my white truck in a few minutes to drive to the other side of town to my comfortable home.
Was there something she was going to say that would make me any more aware of the truth of the situation? Maybe. I hated that I might be tempting her to lie to me. I hated that I was in this position of power over her.
I have been in other situations where someone asked for money with a great story of need. A few simple questions and attempts to problem solve with the person revealed that it probably was not a true story.
Let me just interact with her a bit and maybe I can at least reassure myself that it is not an obvious trick. I asked. She answered. No obvious inconsistencies in her story.
Maybe I should avoid the whole money thing and offer to pick her up tomorrow morning and drive her to the bus station. No, it would be worth $10 to not have to get up that early. Your being lazy. No, I'm being practical.
Listen. Drop in...what are you sensing? God, ...? You have the money. Don't put her through this, help this poor woman. But... You will never know what you are wanting to know. Why is this so hard for you? Quiet your mind for a minute. Follow your heart. Give to all who ask. Don't fail this test. Give her the money and give it with love and don't look back.
"God bless you," I said, shaking her had with a $10 bill in it.
Driving away from under the bridge, wow, another amazing night under the bridge.
2 comments:
So, you listened and obeyed God. You "passed the test." You loved on a woman in need... you followed your heart. Well done.
Becky
Mark,
I've enjoyed reading your "Taxi Fare" series. This last entry really brings it all home. I especially appreciate you letting us in on your thoughts, your inner struggles. We've all had them, but it's really helpful when somebody puts it out there in black and white. Thanks for wrestling with your heart, your flesh, and God... and letting us watch. It challenges me to keep struggling with these important questions too.
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