3 Cake Donuts & 2 Bottles of Orange Juice

Yesterday morning was crazy. Take Hubby to work because we needed the car, drive all the way back home to discover my husband had the house keys in his pocket, back into the car, back to his work, grab keys, and then finally back home. Along the way though, the first go around, when we had gotten off our off ramp and there was a homeless man at the corner.

Normal cardboard sign "Homeless... anything will help"

I had the worst tugging ever. Don't look, look... etc. I kept replaying a conversation my husband and I have had numerous times about one of the stores we frequent there is always someone homeless standing there. I have told my husband this strong desire I have that every time we go in there we need to buy an entire bag of food and drinks just for them. Every time! This thought ran on repeat through my head when I saw this gentleman yesterday. Only I didn't have an entire bag just for him. I did however have 3 cake donuts left over from our pack we bought that morning and 2 unopened bottles of orange juice sitting on my floorboard. I looked at the bag and looked back at him. "But the drinks were for the kids, but we are heading home and they can have water." "Are you really going to eat those last 3 donuts? Do you need to eat those last 3 donuts?"

That was it... that was all it took. I bent down grabbed the bag and rolled down my window. I apologized it wasn't more and he said it was ok and thank you. The light turned green and I drove away.

I drove away to my apartment.

To my apartment I realized I had no key to get into.

The whole way back to my husband's work I was fuming for yet another 25 mile trek with 3 tired (one super tired) child and it was messing up my morning. On the way back I was wondering if the gentleman was still standing there. I got off an exit early and took the long way to go past the corner he was standing at. He wasn't there. I wondered the whole time... Did anyone else help him out? Did he have a place to go? Where was he now? Then the light turned green and I drove away.

I drove away to my apartment.

To my apartment where I could now unlock the door to see the mess of toys beyond the door... all of our possessions that weren't limited to a small green backpack. To the apartment where I am always having a battle of "I wants". I got on with our day and for the longest time never gave that man I gave 3 donuts and 2 orange juices to another thought. We did some school. My youngest took a nap. We went to the grocery store because there were things we needed. We went and got the car washed despite the grey clouds. We went to dance class and went yet again to daddy's work to pick him up. I still hadn't thought about the man on the corner.

That was until late last night.

My husband and I were laying on our living room floor with a blanket and pillows watching "As Far As My Feet Will Carry Me." During one of the times Netflix was "retrieving" the movie I stopped and looked around. How lucky I was to have a blanket to cover me even though I was chilled. How blessed I was to have an electric fireplace I could turn on to help with a little heat. How fortunate I was to have a roof and walls to block out the cold. I was safe. I was dry. I was full and I was warm.

I thought about that man on the corner.

I asked my husband if he was ok with us not having a big TV hanging on the wall and a couch, a table to eat at, etc. He told me "I don't need those things I feel like the richest man in the world with the things I have." I then asked him a gut punch question "What if we never bought a house?" His response didn't all entirely surprise me yet it made me think. He said he would feel like a failure if we didn't ever get one.

Why?

Isn't that a little contradictive?

He provides the roof we have now why does it need to be in a different location?

I am so bad though at pushing that and not being thankful for what we have. I search for more or better, then get smacked with just how fortunate I really am, and I stop looking and pushing for it.

Situations could always be worse. I am not sure we need to be striving for better when we already have so much. I think we need to be helping others strive. How though?

I honestly believe it could be as big or as little as you feel lead.

I am praying that my 3 donuts and 2 orange juices helped make a difference. I pray that I always remember when I start to search for bigger and better that what I have is enough. Honestly it's more than enough. I have God. I have my family. I have a roof and walls. I have a jacket and blankets, and bed of my own to lay in at night.

Though I may never see that man on the corner again I pray that God lays on his heart how much he spoke to me. I pray the Lord blesses him with family (as he was standing there alone... so I am just assuming he is out there alone), blankets, his own bed, his own walls and a roof, his own food in the kitchen. That if he doesn't know God that God will speak to his heart and he will find and feel the fullness of God's love and grace!

I keep being reminded to praise God no matter what. He has blessed me immensely and whether this is where we stay for years and years to come or he moves us to a different spot I will praise him. Even if that spot were ever the streets.

I'm blessed.

I am very thankful.

I don't ever want to forget that.