This morning on Facebook...

One of my "friends" on facebook posted something that really made me think. She said "Love your neighbor...as you would yourself." I took a quick life assessment and realized that I need to work on that. I have encountered some situations that I could have been better at....offered to pay for the womans coffee when she forgot her wallet at home (someone else did while I thought about it) or put more money in the Salvation Army buckets.
I have also encountered a lot of people asking for money as if asking of the time. Last night I was at the grocery store and a woman approached Allison and I and told me this story about how her daughter needed a jacket and shoes and that she was on food stamps. She then said "So do you have cash you could give me?" I lied (Sorry God!!) and said that all I had was my check card. A couple rows over she asked me if I was sure that I didn't have any cash and got in between Allison and I. I politely wanted to shove her aside as my maternal instinct kicked in and I needed to protect my child. But I once again told her I had no cash. As I finished my shopping she had stopped 2 other people and asked them for money. I was in the checkout and to my dismay she was two people behind me and I WAS PAYING WITH CASH. I went as fast as I could and could feel my face getting redder as the cashier was taking her sweet time! Against my better judgement (usually I would just leave well enough alone) I went and "tattled" on them. I did not agree with their tactics and it made me uncomfortable. They called security and alerted them to the situation. I left and didn't turn back. (Out of sight...out of mind?)
I understand that we are living in hard times and money is tight for almost everyone, including my family. In hindsight, I should have offered to find her a jacket and some shoes for her daughter. I'll remember that next time!