I was recently in Florida for a training event, flying in and out of Fort Lauderdale. Arriving at the FTL airport on a sunny Saturday, there was a homeless man collecting donations at the entrance door to the Delta Airlines check in area. I could tell he was homeless because he was wearing a lime-green, official "Shelter for the Homeless" T-shirt.
It is pretty tough to hang around an airport entrance and pan-handle for money these days. The TSA is rather skittish about such things. He must have been cleared for security risks.
As I walked to the door, I promised the man I would come back out and donate once I checked my luggage. All I had on me was a twenty dollar bill and I needed to break it.
After checking in and checking my luggage, I walked down to a shop at the other end of the area and bought a candy bar. Then walked back outside and down to where the man was standing. He smiled a mostly toothless grin, and I said, "I kept my promise!" as I dropped a five dollar bill in among the singles and change. He said "God bless your sir." and I replied with a God bless you, Sir."
I felt good about my act of kindness, and wondered how many people donated to the shelter that day? How many people returning from a vacation costing hundreds or thousands of dollars, just walked on by and did nothing?
A little later I began thinking about how much money I had just spent in Florida, and how I had no right to judge anyone. I only gave the man five dollars, and I broke a twenty to do it. Maybe 25% of what was in my wallet was a good amount, but compared to how much I had spent on food and drinks alone that week, it was nothing.
How much is enough, I wondered?
Some people worry that the people begging for money along the road, on the street, or even outside an airport really aren't desperate. I don't think it is for us to determine that. It's a convenient excuse to say that some may be hustling money, but how many times to we know that someone really is destitute, and do nothing?
God was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida last week where those with eyes could see him in his bright green T-shirt.
"The whirlwind is in the thorn trees."
copyright 2010 - Ted Sky - All rights reserved
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