tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post700336560574298203..comments2023-06-01T08:48:30.536-07:00Comments on BIKE WITH JACKIE: In a pinch--will you help or walk away?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-49910107412468078542009-04-21T07:27:00.000-07:002009-04-21T07:27:00.000-07:00I'll hold back to dole out coins when I'm asked on...I'll hold back to dole out coins when I'm asked on the road or wherever. But would always give when someone who lost their bread earner in the family, even it pinches me and my wife.<br /><br />The other day I heard in the church, father was giving sermon where he told a truth: giving your excesses isn't charity. The charity has to pinch us it seems. I felt that is true. I really liked my brother who was a priest himself always used to help great amounts. I used to think he can save that money 'cause he can buy some electronic gadget or store away that money for a big saving later. He used to tell me our help should make a change in the person. All the people he helped was towards securing a teaching degree, or getting a crucial job, or something which helped the receiver settle down in life. <br /><br />I really get moved at the plight of some old man and woman who asks for help. Here, I liked the way some are taken for to a nearby restaurant for a meal or food. That's a way to know the person.<br /><br />I feel as Jackie says, it's always good to help a few coins when someone needs. It may be for a crucial phone call or to tell someone some serious matter. <br /><br />Thanks for reminding this crucial human emotion where we connect to a larger universe.<br /><br />Great thoughts here in this blog!<br />SolomonSolomonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00428904835462437720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-49390173392583303842009-03-20T09:30:00.000-07:002009-03-20T09:30:00.000-07:00Thank you for commenting. The Speakeasy takes me b...Thank you for commenting. The Speakeasy takes me back many years. Seems like so long ago.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-675252923948993372009-03-19T19:32:00.000-07:002009-03-19T19:32:00.000-07:00My feeling about generous acts: no conditions. G...My feeling about generous acts: no conditions. Give the money to the person. Or don't. But don't condition it on anything, such as using the money for food (as opposed to drugs or alcohol.) <BR/><BR/>A couple of years ago, I was coming out of the subway in my city and this very nice-looking young man approached me in a panic. I forget exactly what his story was, but he talked me into giving him five bucks (I think it was). A couple of days later, I was coming out of another subways stop and the same guy approached me with the same story. I was angry and brushed past him. As I walked away, however, I got angrier and angrier. Now, I thought to myself, another person truly in need would come up to me and I would brush past this person. Or it could be myself in need or a friend or family member of mine. So I walked back to where this guy was still standing by the subway stop and I confronted him. I demanded he give me my money back from the other day. I must have appeared pretty angry because he looked startled and maybe even a little bit afraid. He reached into his pocket and tried to hand me a fistful of dollar bills and change. I said, no, I just want my $5 back. <BR/><BR/>Anyway, Jackie, I have been a big fan of yours for many years, back to the days when you participated in the Poets & Writers Speakeasy. I'm glad to hear that you are now finished with your divorce and that there is a new man in your life. I hope your kids are well. I love your outlook on life. And, most of all, I admire your writing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-28280780424589991892009-03-18T16:49:00.000-07:002009-03-18T16:49:00.000-07:00Debbie,It's so true. You never know. That woman yo...Debbie,<BR/><BR/>It's so true. You never know. That woman you helped may have conned you, but it's out of your hands. I might have been conned a few weeks ago when a young girl came to my door wanting me to buy magazines for her soccer team--so they could go on a tournament trip out of the country. I don't know it it was a true story or not; I believed it at the time. <BR/><BR/>What I did know was that I didn't want the magazines. I gave her cash that had been entrusted to me for such a circumstance--to be used for someone in need. It seemed like the right thing to do.<BR/><BR/>I wish I always made decisions that way. Sometimes, I let my head get in the way of my heart. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for visiting BIKE WITH JACKIE.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09505661913107994459noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-792745986850454057.post-40434088086877434032009-03-18T16:38:00.000-07:002009-03-18T16:38:00.000-07:00I like to help people. I remember one time as I w...I like to help people. I remember one time as I was walking in the parking lot outside of Safeway a woman came up to me holding a baby. She asked for money to buy food for the baby. I immediately took out a $20 bill and gave it to her. However, later on I saw her and found reason to believe that it was a con and she borrowed the baby to get money. I remember thinking I should have responded by taking her into Safeway and shopping for food for the baby instead of simply handing her money.<BR/><BR/>There were several other examples I could share. You never know if you're being conned or not but I guess it doesn't really matter. God can see into the heart of each one of us and He knows our motives. Maybe in the eyes of many, I would be a fool but that's OK. I just don't want to be handing out money to feed a drug or alcohol problem. <BR/><BR/>I've heard of people taking someone in to a restaurant to buy them a meal instead of handing money to them. Then they have the opportunity to listen to their story. I also have a male friend who frequently rides the bus because he no longer trusts his eyesight in driving. He always tells me stories of the people he meets on the bus. I know Kevin is a kind Irish gentleman and gives from the bottom of his heart.Debbie Petrashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08235978883396499354noreply@blogger.com