Have you ever met someone you could have helped more than you did, and it bothered you later?

Question

It was a rather strange encounter in 1990 when I left my office for lunch with a friend. A young man, who was filthy, unshaven, and pathetic, came to my car and asked for help. I was really turned off by his appearance, and only gave him $2.00 just to get rid of him. As my friend and I discussed the event later, we found we had the same impression: that this person had a certain presence about him which contradicted his appearance as a bum. We remembered he had good manners, was well spoken, and - if bathed, shaved, and dressed well - might have passed muster in my country club. The more we thought about it, the more puzzled we became. Just WHO was this guy, and perhaps - more importantly - HOW had he fallen so low? My friend and I came to regret we had not helped him more.

Answer 1

Over Christmas Eve we had gone to the store and picked up some last minute items. While waiting in the check-out line there were two men talking at the next check-out line. It was the cashier and another man who was begging the cashier to cash a check and hold it for him until the beginnning of this year, which is when he got is Disability check. He was practically begging the cashier telling him he was starving and just wanted to write the check enough for a rotisserie chicken. Needless to say he was turned down. As we made our way through the line and started to leave, I had glanced over and saw this man just standing there in front of rotisserie chickens, staring at them. Something about him was very sincere, I can't explain it. Anyway I had a $10.00 & $20.00 bill on me and gave my daughter the smaller of the ones and had her give it to him. I'll never forget the way he looked as he turned around to accept the money. He looked over at me with tears in his eyes, bowed his head, looked back up and mouthed the words "thank you". As we drove off, it really bothered me that I did not give him the larger of the two bills. Here was a man on Christmas Eve who was starving, yet was so happy and gratful for the little I gave him. Even now, I really wished I would have given the larger of the two bills

Answer 2

That's an interesting story. I'd say that was a well-failed God test. That's OK, God expects us to make mistakes. Just pray and keep on trucking. Try to do better next time. It's not easy, I know. I have done things like that a lot, though I'm failing to come up with a specific time. Maybe pray for some fortitude.

Answer 3

Yes there are times i wish i would have done more than i did. I often give money to a man in our town. So as far as that goes no but there was someone who needed a friend to talk to and i didnt care for them so i didnt take the time to be there.