Dilema at the Drive-Through

It's happened more than once, so I can only surmise that I am to learn something from it.... About a month ago, when I pulled up to Mickey-D's for a quick sandwich, there was a twenty-something black man standing near the speaker, talking to the person in the vehicle ahead of me. He wore a flannel jacket and some not unusual jeans, and his head sported dredlocks. I wondered about his story....was he a junky? Was he the product of a horrible childhood? Was he just lazy and a scammer? Regardless, it was obvious he was asking for change from the driver ahead. I wondered if the money collected would actually be used for food or would it be used to buy drugs or alcohol or something else...? When they pulled forward, he looked back toward me, as if measuring the likelihood of my donation. I don't recall shaking my head, but something must have indicated to him that I was not an easy "mark", as he shook his head, turned and walked away without even asking. Later, when I talked with my husband about it, I told him I was disconcerted by the chance situation....wondering what it was about my demeanor that told the man not to bother. Scott cheered that I did well by discouraging his approach. Using some of his favorite descriptive words --- you know the ones! --- he made it clear that encouraging such panhandling was just plain wrong. And yet, I was troubled. The thought of "as you do to the least of these, you do unto Me" kept running through my head. And I wondered, if the situation were reversed and it was I who was so hungry --- regardless of the reason I couldn't afford food without begging --- would I not hope that someone would find it within their hearts to share? It bothered me a lot. Yesterday, I again approached a fast food place (gee, do you think there's a pattern here? Could it have anything to do with my ever-expanding waistline? Hmmmm?).....sorry...back to the story..... Yesterday, as I again waited in line at a fast food chain, I was approached by a young black man with a woman by his side. He explained that she was his wife and she was pregnant and they hadn't eaten all day, and he wondered if I could help. I glanced at the girl in her oversized coat, trying to gauge if she was really pregnant or if they were scamming me. She kept her gaze downward, and I wondered if it was because of her shame at having to beg....or to hide her lie behind sheltered eyes. As I struggled with the decision, the young man continued to talk, his conversation peppered with "bless you" and "God bless".... and again I wondered at the truth of their situation. Finally, I gave my troubled reply......"I'm sorry...no....." It truly pained me to deny them, but I was so torn in my indecision, " no" seemed like the right answer at the time. As I moved ahead in the line, I felt so guilty! Here I had plenty of cash in my purse to have bought them lunch...easily...and yet I didn't . Was I wrong? What message did that cross hanging from my rearview mirror send that young couple? Did I fail a test, somehow? I can't even begin to tell you how unsettling it was for me as I rounded the corner and watched the couple approach car after car, person after person. I saw some women --- and I noticed they ONLY approached women ---- reach in their purses and hand something to the young man...in fact I saw it at least 3 times, so, minimally I would assume they had at least acquired three dollars in the time that I was in line. So why didn't they go in and buy that poor starving pregnant woman something to eat? I received my order, pulled out of the lot and headed on my way. Ahead of me stood a billboard with the headline "Pray for Those in Need". I felt convicted. So I did send up a prayer for those two people .... regardless if theirs was a scam or not .... that they would be provided for. And I also sent up a selfish prayer that I would know how to handle that situation if/when it should ever arise again. It's been on my mind a lot since then and I think I've been provided a solution. When this occurs again --- and I'm sure it will! --- I've decided I will invite the people to place their order at the speaker with me and to proceed to the window to pick it up. Then I will be certain that the money will go toward food and I will not have denied them if they are indeed in need. And, if time allows, I will park my vehicle and go inside with them and buy them whatever they wish to eat. Then I will ask them their story and will offer whatever help I can to direct them to a solution for their situation. (I'm sure Scott will absolutely freak when he reads this...but I have to do what is right for me, with reasonable caution and cynicism, but with a right heart.) They will have to invest to receive my investment. And if they are unwilling, for whatever reason, then I can continue on my way without guilt. Who would think a simple drive in could produce such a dilemma? Who would think it could produce such an opportunity? I love drive-ins!