I was at The Alley Theatre today, supporting my daughter in one of her Matinee performances in the play, A Christmas Carol.
I had already given away my dollar for the day, when I found myself outside the stage door, leaving a voice mail for my wife. A homeless man approached me. I felt just a bit on the uneasy side about this fella, so I said a pretty quick “No” to his request for a handout.
Back inside, after leaving the voice mail, I noticed I was stirring. I’m supposed to be giving away, helping to prosper others, I thought. So I went back outside a couple minutes later to give him the loose change I had in my pocket. But he had disappeared. I suspected that this might be his “territory”, so I spread out the change on the yellow curb, in obvious plain sight for him to find on his next pass.
About 20 minutes later, my wife returned the call, so I went back outside again to answer it (mostly as a courtesy to the theatre to keep down unnecessary conversation backstage). Only this time, a different homeless man approached me! He seemed kinder, but, bless his heart, he had the same “pitch” that the first one had. Nonetheless, I was compelled to do something for him.
So I glanced over and noticed that the change was still on the curb, unclaimed. I told him I didn’t have any money, but to go look on the curb. He did, and then looked back at me, puzzled and asking, “Is that yours?” I sort of lied and said, “No, but pick it up anyway, it’s yours now”! He tentatively walked over to it, picked it up, and put it in his pocket. He was still noticably confused by all this, because it wasn’t running the way most of his business deals typically run! When he looked back at me, I smiled and gave him a thumbs up. He returned the gesture and a smile and went about his way.
I could tell he felt different. I for sure felt different.
I love Give Away A Dollar A Day, even if this was a mere quarter shy of a whole dollar!
Blessings, and joyful giving to you and yours,
Todd
PS - If this story sounds familiar… You’re right! Read about my wife’s similar experience here.