Target Encounter

I'm at Target, in the $1 (which is more like $3 and $5 now, unfortunately) section of course. A girl comes up to me and mumbles something. She hands me a note written in not-so-perfect English that describes how her family needs $150 for a hotel and food. She is hard to understand, but I try to ask her some questions. I start realizing that this isn't going anywhere so I ask where her mom is. She points to her brother and leads me to her mom. She tells me her mom doesn't speak English, so I try to speak in Spanish. Bad idea. The mom tells me they're from Bosnia and need food for tonight. I tell her I don't have any cash (which I thought was true). She (kindly?) reminds me there's an ATM. She tells me that a lady just tried to get money out, but her card was rejected. I start telling her about some resources that I know about--food pantries, churches, shelters. She tells me she's going to go to a church tomorrow. I am skeptical of the story, but I want to take her at her word. She has three kids. They don't seem like they've taken a shower recently. So I tell her I can buy her some groceries to help them tonight. The girl goes to get a big shopping cart. I tell her the hand-held basket will be fine. My attitude is not where it should be. I don't really trust that they are telling me the truth, but I feel like I should help. The mom first says they need Sprite and Dr. Pepper. I say I don't want to buy that, because it's not filling. I offer to buy juice or bottled water instead. She tells me they have water and that the kids will vomit the juice. Really? I say let's go look for healthier, filling food. She grabs green grapes that are more expensive than I would buy for myself. I'm annoyed, but she is choosing healthy food, so I put them in the basket. She chooses a big pack of drinkable yogurt, but I let it in the basket. She chooses organic bananas, and I ask her if the regular ones are fine. She obliges. I put them in too. We're walking down the aisle together, but the kids are nowhere to be seen. She gets 6 meat, cheese, and cracker Lunchables. I show her the bigger packs of lunch meat and cheese. I tell her they can make their own Lunchables with a box of crackers, cheese slices, and lunch meat, but she is uninterested. I try to explain that she could have more food this way, but she is set on buying the actual Lunchables. So I say ok. I do not have a cheerful heart, because I don't like how things are going. She is saying thank you, but the whole situation leaves me feeling unsettled. As we're walking to the checkout, I ask her if she has a phone. She says no. I ask her if she would like me to call a shelter for her. She says no. She doesn't want her children to be at a shelter. I ask her if she would like my phone number if she needs something else. She says no. I notice she is carrying a Jesus Calling book and keeps saying Jesus Christ under her breath, but I don't say anything. After I pay for the groceries, I ask her if I can pray for her, and she says ok. So I ask her for her name and pray for her. About halfway through I place my hand on her shoulder. Then she tells me she needs to find her kids, and I walk the other way. I wander around the store, trying to piece together what just happened. I pick up a few things and then put them back, leaving empty-handed. I walk quickly to the car and get in and lock the door. A woman approaches the car, trying to ask me something. She is carrying a Target bag, but I just shake my head. She goes to the guy in the car next to me. He rolls down his window, and they talk for a bit. I just watch, because I can't leave without hitting this woman. I wonder what she was asking...

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:35-40 

Did I do the right thing? Even if my heart wasn't in the right spot? In Guatemala I learned that both giver and receiver have a responsibility to God Almighty. All of us will have to give account one day. I would always rather err on the side of trying to meet a need and being deceived than withholding when I am able to do something. 

Lord, I pray for Sandra and her family. I pray that You meet their physical needs right now--a place to stay and food to eat seem to be the most pressing. I also pray that You would meet their spiritual needs. I pray, God, that they would draw close to You, trusting in You and relying on You. Please keep them safe. If for some reason they are not telling the truth, please give them the desire to turn from this and start being honest. Above all, help them to receive Your great love.