the searbys

I can't seem to escape people in need. Not that I want to. They are all around and I can't do other than help them.

Today I was at Kash and Karry to get Jen and I a snack before I picked her up from work so we could finish painting our new furniture. As I returned to my car a guy about my age, shaved head, stocky, rough looking, said to me from the next aisle in the parking lot, "hey, I have a question for you....I'm really embarrassed (he was, his face was beet red)...I'm on my way from Tampa with my friend and I thought we could make it where we're going but we're almost out of gas. Could you loan me some money for a tank of gas. I'll get your name and address and send you the money as soon as we get there." This was thrown in among various expletives and facial expressions, all of which showed me that he was indeed extremely embarrassed. I didn't have any cash, I told him and then he asked if I could get some from an ATM, which I told him I would but I didn't have my pin number memorized yet (all of this true.) I really wanted to help him but didn't think I could. So, as I walked away, sorry, I thought, "hey, he could just follow me to the gas station and I'll fill them up with our card." I offered that and they were excited. I took them to a gas station, filled up their tank, bought them two bottles of water and two bags of chips and returned to their car. The guy asked me where I had written down my address because he was going to pay me back. I told him I hadn't done it for payback. He looked at me so strangely. When I handed them the drinks and chips he said, "what are these?" I said, for the trip, you'll get hungry." He was utterly confused. He actually said, "why are you doing all of this?" I simply responded, "because you need it." He began thanking me up and down and saying how he couldn't believe anyone would do that and God bless you and all that. Sure, I could have preached him a sermon or said something simple about Jesus but I didn't feel led to do that. They were on their way and I on mine. I hope the love they felt was sincere and I hope they make it safely to their destination.

-joel

You have done another good deed today and I know God will bless you two-fold.
gibson and Bellf. loves to read your most interesting stories!  

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Joel,

You continually amaze me in how real you are with people. I just reread that chapter in Blue Like Jazz in which the students are planning on putting up a confessional. Just as you did with the guy who needed gas, you continually witness to people by being who you are--Jesus' disciple. I love you buddy.

Toad  

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Joel - we had a similar incident as we exited the Fish Market restaurant last Friday night. A guy came up to us and asked if we were from B'ham and then proceeded to tell us this very long tale about how he was fleeing from the hurricane and his fuel pump had gone out of his Tahoe and was in the shop here and he had to get back to Florida and needed money for a bus ticket, as he had spent his last cash on the motel he had been staying in. There was a minister in the story who was going to meet him at the bus station, and he went on and on and on. I wanted to give him some money, but waited for dad to take the lead. He had a strong feeling it was a panhandler (you know it is sad that some would take advantage of this crisis) and so we told him the best thing would be to go to the civic center shelter for hurricane victims, but he said he heard you had to wait 2 hours to get processed there (which told us he really just wanted the cash). Anyway, you never know....but I guess if you give a cup of water(should I say a bottle of water and chips and gas!) to someone who appears needy, whether they are or not, God will honor that. You are so generous! Love, mom  

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