The Teenage Street Girl

I saw a girl on the street corner when I went to go pick up my son. She was kind of dirty with dark, matted, hair. I wasn't sure if she was a homeless person or just waiting for a ride. She had on dark clothes and a back pack and was leaning up against the brick wall on the sidewalk.

About two hours later, we were driving home, it was dark and my son said, "There's a person laying on the sidewalk against the wall." It was the same spot that I had noticed the girl earlier. I was a little worried and quickly turned the car around to see if she was okay. She was curled up in a fetal position with her head facing the wall. I pulled over and asked if she was okay. Luckily she said, "Yeah, I'm fine." She was so young...16 or 17. I couldn't imagine what would put her on the street like that. I said, "Are you sure you're okay? Do you want some pizza?"

I had just dropped some off for my husband and the kids at the football field. He had loaded up one box and taken it. There was still another box, breadsticks and some pizza. She quickly got up and came closer to the car, "What?" The tone in her voice burst out louder, anxiously anticipating the question that she thought she heard. I reached for the pizza box, only to find it was an empty box. My husband had taken ALL of the slices. I said, "I'm sorry I didn't know the pizza was gone. Would you like some breadsticks and a Pepsi?" "YES...THANKS" I handed it to her. Still worried about her, "Do you need anything?" Hoping she would burst out with a loud "YES...I'm alone, scared, I have no where to go and no one to turn to, I need help." Of course the only answer was, "No." As I pulled away I saw a policeman driving slowly by.

I got home and couldn't get the girl out of my head. I grabbed a pillow, blanket and this amazing book that I've been reading and re-reading every morning (3rd time), "Battlefield of the Mind," by Joyce Meyers. I drove back to the spot she was laying, but she was gone.

What would drive a young girl with her whole life ahead of her onto the streets? Was it drugs, abuse, fear...she was so young. Whose child is it? Are they worried about her, unable to sleep, driving around hoping to find her? My head just kept going over all these possiblities. As a mother, my first instinct is to save her. I know that some people don't think they need or want help. I know that I can only show unconditional, non-judgemental love by giving what I have to make them see that they are not alone in the world. Maybe someone's act of kindness will reach deep inside their heart and make a difference. I don't know, but my responsibility is to listen when my heart is being tugged...going the extra step to help someone in need, just like others have reached out during difficult times in my life.

Can You Make A Difference In A Day?

I went to work today and my boss said she had to tell me something and I have to say yes. I said, "Not until I know what it is," I’ve learned my lesson in the past. She said, "I am going to take you shopping for groceries today for your family!" I started to cry and told her, "No, I can't allow you to do that". She said, "It's on my "bucket list" (things to do before you kick the bucket) to perform acts of kindness and you can't deny me my wish." I cried more, hugged her and thanked her.

My husband and I have been praying and trying to have faith that we would be able to come up with enough money to buy groceries and make our house payment this month. I have to tell you that it was an answer to our prayers.

We went to the grocery store and she kept adding more things into the basket, despite my protests that it was already more than enough. We had to get another basket just to hold all of the food. We went to check out and I couldn't believe that the bill came to $500.00! I had an instant headache because I was so stressed that she had spent so much money on us. I hugged her and told her, "Thank you for being our angel."

On my way home I stopped by another store (I had forgotten to get milk while we were shopping, I guess I was so overwhelmed...I forgot a basic necessity). As I entered the store a homeless man was sitting off to the side of the store. I wished that I had money to give him after the gift I had just received. Once inside the store I remembered my husband's paycheck had just been deposited and the whole amount was supposed to be used for our house payment, but I decided to take $20.00 of it and buy him some food. I had been given such an amazing gift, the least I could do was give to someone who had even less than I did. I walked out and looked over to see someone else walking away after dropping off a box of pizza to the homeless man. Wow, I thought what an amazing day this is. As I reached him, he had just finished scarfing down three pieces of the pizza; he looked up at me and said, "Do ya want a piece of pizza?" I was shocked...someone with absolutely NOTHING was offering me a portion of the small amount of food that he had just received. I told him, "No thank you," and set the three small bags of groceries down. I ran to my car and grabbed a blanket that I had kept in there for an emergency (it was very cold out). He said "Thank You!" He covered up and continued eating the pizza.

Leaving your mark and making a difference in the world can seem like a huge task. I have been privileged enough to have been the recipient of a caring person, a witness to the giving of others and a contributor to serving someone less fortunate, all in the span of a single day. If a difference can be made in the lives of three people in a single day, imagine if everyone did an unselfish act for one person each day. Whether it is helping an elderly person put groceries in their car, opening a door for a handicapped person or offering food to a person in need. Kindness and love can change the world.......one person at a time. Today is the day YOU can change the world, someone is waiting for you!