Sunday, November 13, 2011

Five dollars worth of lottery tickets

She stood impatiently in line at the grocery store customer service counter with a $5bill in her hand. It had been a long day. The first cold and rainy, wintry day of fall. She was only here to buy lottery tickets.

As she glanced around, she noticed the man standing at the counter next to her. He was carrying a plastic grocery bag of belongings. It wasn't from the grocery store they were standing in. He was wearing a full length padded winter coat, Oakland Raiders emblazoned on it. It was worn and ripped. His shoes didn't have shoestrings.

Something inside her said to give him her $5.00. But she resisted, how do I know he needs it? What if I embaress him? He may not be homeless or destitute.

But as she continued to watch him, he started counting out quarters, nickels, dimes and pennies. Digging in each pocket of his pants and coat. She counted with him, $2.00.

Oddly, she noticed he was clean. He didn't smell.

Then again, she felt like something was saying give him your $5.00.

She still resisted, how do I hand him money in front of all these people? They will look at me. They will look at him. It's just too weird.

But the inner tugging said he needs this more than you need lottery tickets. And she said to the inner voice and answered back, God, you want me to give it to him, I will.

So she folded the $5 bill into fourths and reached across the counter and slid it under his hand.

He looked down at his hand, and then looked up at her. A beautiful smile lit up his face. "Thank you miss", and it felt better than winning the lottery. He took the $5 and picked up his change and his grocery bag of belongings and left the store.

And she walked to the car empty handed, with tears running down her face, mixing with the rain.

Does $5 matter? Can it make a difference?

And the same voice told her to remember the loaves and fishes. Remember the woman who gave everything she had. Remember the good Samaritan.

Remember why you are here.

Love me, love others.

Where they are.

With what you have.

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