What Would I do for Bananas?

Last week I saw how desparate and humbling it is for people in need to ask for help.  I was taking Isaac to therapy after school last Thursday, and discovered once reaching our destination that I had forgotten to put his lunch cooler in the car.  BIG mistake!  Isaac does not do well on an empty stomach, so I knew I had to get some food.  I then decide to run to the grocery store quick and pick up two bananas.  I drive over to Harris Teeter and realize that I don't have my purse.    At this point Isaac is starting to whine and say he is "real hungry".  I look in my car for some change and come up with 32 cents.  That is not going to buy two banans.  I then think of my options.  Either walk up to some random person and ask for money to buy my kid some bananas or drive back home across town and be 20 minutes late for the appointment.  The thought of having to ask a random stranger for help seemed absolutely humiliating, so I decided to drive all the way home to pick up the cooler.  This made me realize how prideful I am in not wanting to ask others for help.  It also makes me much more compassionate on the mother who comes up  asking for money for a bus ticket home or a man needing help filling his car up for gas.  I sometimes help these people out, but often while thinking about how they are inconviencing me or that they should figure out how to take care of themselves.  I was not seeing how humbling it was for people to ask for my help, and that God was allowing me the opportunity to help them.  God has a way of showing and breaking our judgemental spirits through random situations. 
 

Matthew 5:42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Matthew 25:35-40 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.’

Luke 3:10-11 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.”