Once upon a time a single mother and her 7-year-old daughter were driving across Little Rock, Arkansas on their way to West Texas.

All of a sudden, the gas gauge hit empty and their hopes of making it ended with no money in their pockets. 

My mother and I made our way to a church. Thankfully the pastor of this random church  filled our gas tank up and sent us on our way with snacks and food. 

This pastor — whom we had never met before and we will never see again —did this out of the kindness of his heart. While he may not remember this incident back in the early 2000’s, it changed my view of helping others. 

This past weekend, on the outskirts of Cincinnati, a man asked me for money for food. He said his mother’s card was declined at McDonald’s and that he and his family were starving. 

My boyfriend was silent because he doesn’t believe in giving to random people who ask for money, and on that note, we didn’t give any to the man. However, I thought of the pastor in Little Rock and how he gave us his time and money  even though my mother could have been lying. 

My story isn’t an amazing one, and it might not resonate with you. But as we enter the giving season, try not to turn your nose at others.

While people who ask for help may or may not be telling the truth, take your time to walk them to the nearest restaurant and buy a dollar double cheeseburger.

You never know who this person is, what they are running away from, and how you just might change their life. 

Who knows, maybe they might end up giving back to you in your time of need.