Kind Acts

The things that mean the most.

The other day I saw the guy walking away (see above) stop at the woman (over sized white t-shirt). She was asking for money and cigarettes. He gave her a cig. and lit it up.

I sat there and thought-- there is something right about that. Meeting people's needs meeting them where they are. Not giving her a lecture about "want to smoke? get a job." Rather, "need a drag-- here's a cigarette."

I think people, too often, get caught up in helping people. We think, "I'm not giving that man money-- he'll just use it for booze." Rather, we should be thinking, "this man's life is so desperate, that he is shaming himself to this level to beg for money-- his kids have to watch him, he has lost his pride. I am going to help him out."

I was impressed by the display of charity. Unpretentious as though the troubled woman was a friend. he stopped by, said "need a light", lit her up, and walked away.

Proverbs recommends this type of behavior, I think. Fight for social justice, put your judgment aside and meet the needs of those in need without judging them.


31:6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;

31:7 let them drink and forget their poverty,and remember their misery no more.

31:8 Open your mouth 5 on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.

31:9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause 9 of the poor and needy.